2362/Court of Owls: Lincoln March Re-Election Fundraiser

Court of Owls: Lincoln March Re-Election Fundraiser
Date of Scene:	06 July 2020
Location:	Ballroom - Wayne Manor
Synopsis:	Mayor Lincoln March unveils a bold new vision for Gotham's future at his first Re-election fundraiser, and faces some tough questions.
Cast of Characters:	Bruce Wayne, Lucius Fox, Johnny Storm, Jason Todd, Tim Drake, Dick Grayson, Kate Kane, Punchline, Carrie Kelley, Meggan Puceanu, Bette Kane, Stephanie Brown, Selina Kyle, Rose Wilson, Caitlin Fairchild, Elektra Natchios

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Bruce Wayne has posed:
Wayne Manor has been "closed" for the past couple of years, undergoing major renovations and restoration. While both the Old Wayne Tower and the Wayne Enterprises building have served admirably as spaces for social gatherings hosted by Bruce Wayne in the interim, there's a certain atmosphere to stately Wayne Manor that's been missing from "the scene".

But not anymore.

The house still very much retains its antique feel, but now overlaid with the subtle addition of state-of-the-art technology. For those returning after an extended absence it doesn't feel too different, for those seeing it or the first time, it doesn't feel like time has passed it by. But folks aren't here for the Manor, they're here for a cause.

Lincoln March rose to the position of Mayor in Gotham City in the wake of "No Man's Land." He had been an Assistant District Attorney when the city was cut off, and during the tumultuous year he organized and led the city center so effectively that even the various criminal-led gangs eventually stopped trying to break their lines. Along the way he forged a strong partnership with Commissioner Jim Gordon. He's Gotham born and bred, with a compelling story, being a penniless foster kid who made good through a little bit of luck and a lot of sheer determination, earning full-ride scholarships to Gotham University both in academics and athletics (He was the star quarterback of the Gotham University football team for his four years there), and then moving on to Gotham University Law School. Toss on top of all this that he's tall, dark, and handsome, and the makings of a political superstar were born. It doesn't hurt that he's actually been very, very good at the job. Already there are rumblings of him seeking higher office, or maybe even the Presidency someday, but right now...let's just focus on a second term. Because despite Lincoln March's success so far, he's made an enemy of many powerful criminal syndicates in the city, and while of course there's no direct evidence (yet), they're backing his opponent, which means there is already a non-stop blare of attack ads trying to paint him as ignoring Gotham's poorer districts in favor of it's wealthier ones.

Outside of holiday gatherings Wayne Manor generally doesn't do "themes" for it's galas. Aside from a large "Re-elect Lincoln March" banner hung on one end of the ballroom, and a table just a bit forward of the base of the staircase that displays a relief model of Gotham City itself, the house is the decoration. Of course, a spread of sumptuous and extravagant hors d'oeuvres is arrayed alongside $800-a-bottle champagne. All prepared by Michelin-starred chefs overseen by the superb organization and refined taste of one Alfred Pennyworth, renowned throughout Gotham's High Society as the apogee of what a butler, valet, chauffeur and all-around personal assistant should be. However, lest one think this is all indicative of Lincoln March's alleged favoritism towards Gotham's elite, the Wayne Foundation has agreed to match and then double all donations made to Lincoln's re-election here tonight, but those funds are being directed to charities and organizations that work in Gotham's poorer neighborhoods.

Bruce Wayne has posed:
Not surprisingly for a Wayne Manor Gala, the guest list is a veritable "who's who" of Gotham High Society and to an extent government. Several of March's strongest allies on the City Council are present (and March is sharing some of his bounty with them to help their own re-election campaigns). Police Commissioner Jim Gordon always seems to get an invite to these parties, but he has already made clear to reporters that in this case he's present as a personal friend of Bruce Wayne and not as an official endorsement of Lincoln March. Even if Jim Gordon would love to give such an endorsement, he's too professional to so blatantly put his thumb on the scales, but also savvy enough to know his presence here is a tacit endorsement no matter what he says publicly. Naturally there is a sizable detail of GCPD officers on-scene helping with security, given the presence of so many local political figures here tonight, and most of them are happy for the overtime (which is being paid for by Bruce Wayne personally). They are mostly unobtrusive though, and mostly around the perimeter of the estate, with perhaps a dozen roaming the grounds, and a half-dozen inside the Manor posted in sensible places for both good observation and rapid response. The GCPD is also on "high alert" within the city...because sadly these kinds of affairs have a history of being targeted by various costumed criminals, so best to be prepared unnecessarily than not.

Bruce Wayne has posed:
The Guest of Honor, Lincoln March has eschewed any grand unveiling or announcement, but he arrived early and has been here to greet every guest as surely as Alfred does when he escorts them to the Grand Ballroom where March waits. A lot of glad-handing and smiling and warm greetings, but Lincoln's one of those people that somehow seems to make whoever he's talking to feel like the most important person in the room at any given moment so whether or not it's sincere, most people come away feeling like it is. Mayor March doesn't seem like a typical slimy politician to those that know him...certainly, he plays politics, but he's done a good job of keeping his campaign promises and when he hasn't he's explained why clearly and apologetically. He's presently amidst a clutch of City Council members and a few of Gotham's wealthier citizens, though given the smiles and laughs it doesn't seem like they're particularly talking business. For the keen observers among the crowd, Lincoln has been nursing his first flute of champagne for the entire time he's been here so far (and will refuse a refill later). He's energetic and shows no signs of the weariness that sometimes comes with political campaigns, at least not yet. That said, it would be a lie to say that he hasn't aged some in the last three and a half years. Two foiled assassination attempts, the threat of a bioweapon attack by the League of Assassins, and a kidnapping by one Harvey Dent, all of which were foiled by various members of the Batman's coterie, have taken a bit of a toll. But at least March has largely escaped the Clown Prince of Crime's attention so far.

Bruce Wayne has posed:
Bruce Wayne is habitually late to his own parties, and it looks like tonight is no exception. What IS somewhat exceptional is that when he arrives, descending the grand staircase from the upper balcony down to the Grand Ballroom floor...it's with nearly his entire family...and even extended family...and in some cases their dates...in tow. In fact, he's arm-in-arm with his cousin, Kate Kane, chatting amiably as they make their way to the floor. There's no formal announcement of their arrival or the like, but it's enough of a cluster of people that it draws attention nonetheless, particularly from those members of the media that have been selectively permitted to be inside the ballroom. A show of solidarity from Bruce and Kate is a statement in and of itself...while both families may be somewhat thin in terms of bloodline members remaining at the moment, they both retain immense wealth and influence in the city. Though as they reach the ground floor, Bruce and Kate turn to each other and briefly touch cheeks in a short embrace before going their separate ways, with the various other members of Bruce's extended family trailing after, roughly in age-order.

Of course clad in a new, custom-tailored tuxedo that flatters his fit frame, with a black vest, and platinum cufflinks bearing the Wayne "W" at his sleeves, Bruce moves over to where Lincoln waits, giving the man a hearty handshake and a winning smile. They confer in more quiet tones for a few moments, seeming to be confirming some matter of scheduling, before they both nod in agreement, and there's a clapping of shoulders and whatnot before Bruce leaves him to start working the room himself. His next stop: Lucius Fox.

"Tanya, you're looking exceptionally lovely tonight. A pleasure to see you, as always." Bruce leans over to give Lucius' wife Tanya a brief embrace, before turning to Lucius for a firm handshake and a warm, welcoming smile, "So glad you could both make it. How are the kids? Besides not being interested in another one of Bruce's boring parties, since I haven't seen any of them around tonight?" He jokes lightly, a spark of amusement lighting his blue-gray eyes.

Tuxedo Pic Reference: https://www.mytuxedocatalog.com/wp-content/uploads/C1006.jpg

Lucius Fox has posed:
For a man with no super speed, Lucius and his wife seem nigh omni present, though to look at him it would seem as if he casually glides from place to place, but like a physiscist studynig a complex atom he means to split, most everyone in the room is known and understood by Lucius as he engages, discusses and keeps things moving. This is not, technically, his affair, but it is his nature to keep things moving fluidly, and his wife is just as equally as adept. Lucius was also here early and made an effort to greet every VIP and if possible nearly everyone. Obviously, this is eventually impossible but not for lack of trying. For Lucius, this is a chance to advance the foundation, and reaffirm long standing commitments to rebuild the city. He does, in fact, actually favor the candidate, and has made a reasonable direct donation as well as vote affirmative in the foundation but what he is doing most is building bridges, figurative and literal.

Johnny Storm has posed:
While not a member of the Gothamite society, Johnny Storm is none the less one of the premiere socialites to be caught for any gathering, the inventor of the Playboy Superhero lifestyle, a founding member of the Fantastic Four, and an Alumni of the Justice league, a fellow who's been there fighting to defend earth from nearly ever major alien or super powered threat that there's been.

    Today he arrives in typical Johnny Storm fashion, this time in a Bugati Supercar, a prototype model that merges the latest in design stylings from Bugati, and advances in renewable resources pioneered by the Fantastic Four's scientific advances, making this super car quite eco-friendly, yet still incredibly fast.

    Johnny arrives in the ball room clad in a finely cut custom tuxedo, fit to his athletic frame, his cufflinks have a stylized '4' to them, and the entire outfit is no doubt made of the proprietary unstable molecules that nearly everything else he wears is made of these days. Today he seems to be arriving on his own, no date on his arm or arms as has been the case in the past, but he still has a swagger and air of confidence of someone who's no stranger to these sort of functions.

Jason Todd has posed:
Jason joins the 'family' procession into the ballroom but does so walking alone, no date on his arm, indeed as his ice-blue eyes cut to the doors, he doesn't seem all that keen on being there himself. Still, he is a Wayne, if by adoption if not by name and is dressed in a tailored tux, with all the trimmings, shoes, watch, cufflinks, blah, blah, blah, he wears it all with that sort of disdain too, slouching his way down the stairs and slinking off into the crowd as soon as he can. Even so there's the usual whispers about where Jason Todd had been these past five years, ranging from the typical 'reform school in Russia', to the exciting, 'burning through his trust fund in Europe', to the absurd 'blown up in an explosion in Africa'. For all the eyes Jason feels on bhim, he doesn't look back, and once he's in the crowd he's got eyes for one thing, the bar.

Arriving, he orders a scotch and asks the bartender to leave the bottle.

Tim Drake has posed:
Timothy Jackson Drake-Wayne: the last surviving scion of the prestigious Drake family of Gotham, (third) adopted son of Bruce Wayne, 19-year old soon-to-be senior at Gotham University, double-majoring in Computer Engineering and Information Science (currently with a 3.9 GPA, of course), junior engineer at WayneTech R&D Labs... steps down the stairs behind his adopted father and two older brothers, dressed in an impeccably custom tailored black tuxedo (with crimson accents in the vest, tie, and pocket square) and crisp white tuxedo shirt. At his wrists a glint of ruby-and-platinum cufflinks can be seen. His black hair has been expertly styled to be just mussed-enough for a young man to get away with at one of these functions.

On his arm is a lovely young woman not immediately recognizable to most of Gotham's elite, though quite distinguishable with her pale almost-white hair and a patch over one eye. It's likely, especially given that she seems to be the same young woman he was seen with at a local fundraiser earlier in the month, that especially after tonight the gossip rags will speculate on who she is and how she's come to ensnare one of the scions of a founding family... but Tim doesn't seem to be remotely concerned with that, at least as far as one can tell. Page Six is the last thing on his mind.

As they reach the ground floor, Tim guides Rose towards one of the drink tables, actually taking a glass of champagne himself as well. Even if he only plans on nursing it for most of the evening.

Dick Grayson has posed:
It is Dick's second gala this weekend. But it does not bother him. Tonight he elected to go with a standard tuxedo, far less bold than his Met attire, but still the obligatory elegance required for a political fundraiser. It, like Bruce's, is a custom piece, with a bowtie. Dick is about as comfortable in it, or at least appears to be so, as he is in his Nightwing suit, though only a handful here know that. There is, however, one remnant of the Met Gala present in his attire, the watch he won from the archery contest rests on his wrist.

Dick follows his adoptive father and cousin down the stairs, though at least he was able to secure a plus one for this event, with Dr. Caitlin Fairchild on his arm as the eldest Wayneling makes his way to the ballroom floor, taking a step aside to clear the way for his younger siblings, his cousins, and their dates.

"Thanks for coming," Dick says to Caitlin quietly, "Hope you have fun!" He flashes a grin and helps identify people in the crowd, if needed.

Kate Kane has posed:
Never one for blending in, Kate Kane has gone with a tuxedo of her own albeit in a feminine cut that hugs her hips. Diamond white with a black satin collar, her pale skin and bright red hair that has been cut 'boot camp short' stand in a stark contrast to it. After making her entrance alongside her cousin and merrily parting ways, she strides away from the foot of the stairs and deftly pinches a flute of champagne from the tray of a passing server.

As she pauses to take a sip, her eyes flick sideways to note the attentive gaze of one of Gotham's society columnists. Clearly keeping an eye out to see if renowned party girl Kate Kane is going to make another drunken spectacle. She finishes the sip, lips quirk into a half-smile.

"You'll have to come snooping another time, Cinella," she says over the top of the glass, still smirking, "I'm on my best behaviour tonight."

Punchline has posed:
... 'So far' indeed!

Naturally, the newly-minted fugitive and criminal associate to the Joker, Alexis Kaye aka 'Punchline' arrives sans clown makeup and dressed for the festivities, in a rather provocative plunging and deeply-slitted cocktail dress. The look's intentional, bait even, for this rich crowd. She's attending under assumed credentials as an independent reporter for some semi-respectable online news site, the sort of outlet all too common in the modern media landscape and firmly intent on disrupting the old guard of respectable print media. Naturally, in Gotham, that old guard is pretty darn formidable. But Lincoln March is a man of political ambition, and political ambition increasingly means capturing the enthusiasm of the youth, the sort of people the site speaks to. Thus, a few such outlets were granted press access. Nevermind what happened to the actual reporter they sent!

The young woman is on her best behavior as she waits for the Mayor to make it through a long receiving line, making sure to snag a drink from a passing waiter as she shuffles along with other hopefulls and attendees. Of course, she does her best to stand around and look young and impressionable as she waits, seeing if she can't snag a word with any other attendees as she passes. "Ooh, don't these look delicious. Would you hand me one? Mm, thank you."

Lucius Fox has posed:
Lucius Fox hopes to meet everyone of course, especially the candidate, since; Lucius expects him to win and while they have an excellent working relationship power changes people. As it is, he moves to meet Bruce and family, just to sync up if there is any kind of strategy that is here. He had set a meeting, but not every meeting is attendable when you have impossible schedules. Its why he doesnt set that many meetings, but meetings...can be moved to right before the party. "Bruce," Lucius smiled at each of the sons, including Jason.

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Carrie Kelley descends the stairs along with the rest of the family to join the expansive gala already underway. While she typically opted for suitable but understated attire, tonight she was certainly making an effort to represent the family. A dark green gown to offset her pale complexion and ginger hair is worn. The material itself was satin but covered with an intricate detailing of lace in the same hue of green that wasn't readily visible until up close. Her hair is swept up unto a french braid twisted into a bun to keep it off her bare shoulders and exposed neck. All the better to show off the ruby and tourmalite necklace that was so recently one of the awards at the Met Gala. It's the most extravagant thing she's ever dared to show off.

Like the mysterious Jason Todd there's no date on her arm, at least not yet. Her gaze skims over the crowd with a hopeful expression though so far she seems to not see who she was looking for. Still in decent cheer she glances over at the rest of her family with a smile before stepping to the side to make way for any one else left on the stairs. A single flute of champagne is snagged from a passing waiter though likely not to be sipped at. She wasn't quite old enough for that yet even if she was close.

Meggan Puceanu has posed:
All notes for the media circuit check off. Rags to riches story, the American Dream embodied in a fine suit with a perfect physique to match. Rubber stamp approval all around between conservative factions demanding a hard on crime approach, the empire-builders hungry to restore Gotham's pride and prestige, a certain social cachet. Lincoln March therefore hits with a splash in the media circuit, calling one young lady categorized under the 'press' category, one currently not buried in her phone or a tablet. It wouldn't be the thing to do, when a gala of this calibre among the posh and powerful. Meggan Puceanu wields words to a stunningly large social media network given her age, her videos and statements noosing that most ephemeral and coveted of voting blocs: 18 to 30, Millennials and Zoomers, with the power to show up en masse or transform a successful campaign into a viral sensation... or a viral showdown, on the flip side. The activist rarely dresses up in her appearances, but different times, different measures, given it's the Wayne Manor.

There might be laws in her native England against the stark choice of a rubescent cocoon dress she opts to wear with such a flattering neckline, that feat of stunning elegance in the rather daring skirt discreetly bled over with a delicately traced filigree. Though up close? It's a very map of the city itself, not some shadowed pattern traced in tarnished silver transformed to dusken black with a ripple of the languid folds. A feat rarely accomplished; wearing the city, perhaps acting its voice.

A bold statement to make; but for the moment, she acquaints herself with where she is, slipping along the margins of different guests with some flute in hand to occupy herself. Johnny Storm yonder earns a smile from her, a wink in passing.

Bette Kane has posed:
Bette Kane, the youngest cousin to Kate and Bruce, has kept her word to Kate and arrived at the party wearing her Army Service Uniform, aka the dress uniform. She looks smart in the midnight blue coat. There are no creases in it of course. A midnight blue skirt adds to the ensemble and black shoes that shine. A white dress shirt underneath and small neck tab black ribbon around the neck as the women wear instead of the bowtie or tie the men wear.

The dress shirt has permanent military creases in it and the shoulders have loops. Unlike those who have been in the service for a while, Bette's uniform indicates she's fresh out of West Point with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. Her blonde hair is done up in a tight bun and atop it sits a black beret, rather stylish but also part of the uniform. She is wearing a touch of make up to accentuate her features.

Bette is delighted by how well the Wayne manner has turned out and makes her way over to Kate with a smile, "Military's Best, as requested cousin." There is a twinkle in her blue eyes as she motions to the gathering, "This is quite a party as usual. Bruce has gone all out. I'm going to go circulate and enjoy the thaaang."

Stephanie Brown has posed:
Stephanie Brown arrives at the event wearing a blue dress, walking up to the manor on the arm of a Brazilian teen. Should the mayor have an assistant whispering names in his ear, he probably is given the name of Roberto de Costa and date. The pair greet him, Stephanie not saying much, the easiest way to avoid putting her foot in her mouth, before moving further inside.

Along the way Roberto makes a comment about the beautiful manor. "It is," Stephanie agrees with him. "Have had a chance to visit on a couple of occasions," she tells him. Roberto knows she'd dated one of the wards of the Wayne family. "Want to get a little tour, at least of the parts that are open?" she offers. The pair stop to get beverages and then begin to make their way through some of the rooms that are left open to be viewed.

Selina Kyle has posed:
    'Fashionably late' seems to be a theme among a certain subset of the Gotham socialites, though for once Selina Kyle had to restrain herself a little bit to maintain that policy. The return of Wayne Manor IS a bit special, after all. She's had good times there. Made good friends there. It was one of the first high profile places she tried to rob back in the day!
    Memories~
    Selina DOES arrive in time for Bruce's big entrance, though; dressed in a fetching and figure hugging shoulderless black dress that hangs low on one side, and ends at about mid thigh on the other with a slit on the shorter side; a pair of short, closed high heeled black shoes; bracelets on her right wrist and left upper arm, and a black choker around her neck with an emerald embedded in the center.
    She seems bemused by the Wayne family's collective entrance, though by the end she feels oddly wistful. Quite a collection Brucie's gathered. She may be a llittle jealous, but, then, she was always the covetous sort.
    But there's no time for that! There's schmoozing to be done, and, in the spirit of courtesy, only a minimum of joint-casing. But, in the interest of politeness, it's best to start with the man of the hour, so Selina finds herself gravitating towards Lincoln March.
    With charm turned up to, mmmm, eight or nine, Selina smiles brilliantly as she approaches. "Mayor March, it's wonderful to meet you." She smiles a bit playfully, a wry tilt to her head as she adds, "Big fan of your work."

Rose Wilson has posed:
It is one thing to go to these kinds of events, which is not something that is normal for Rose, unless she's on a job. It is entirely different for it to be this kind of party, and be thrust into the spotlight. As it were.

Thankfully there was some warning that she might not be blending into the general crowd, and some cajoling and convincing, and Rose went out and shopped for the event. Black and gold seems to be the theme she went for, and although the clothes are quite nice and fitting, she opted for pants over a skirt. Unlike Tim, when she grabs a glass of champagne she finishes it all in one go, and hangs onto the empty glass, whispering, "I didn't expect this many people."

(Outfit inspiration: https://i.pinimg.com/564x/1c/ad/08/1cad08caaf9115a9de4795bed5da397e.jpg)

Caitlin Fairchild has posed:
"When I said 'I owe you one' for getting me into the Met, I didn't think you'd rope me into some high society thing," Caitlin mutters at Dick. "I was thinking like... a cake, or something. I'm in /heels/, Richard. Everyone's looking at me."

Fortunately, Caitlin's spent enough time among friends in 'society' that she keeps a few appropriate formal dresses handy. Three, to be exact; this one is a deep burgundy velvet that hugs her curves without being indecent, with a modest off-shoulder neckline and a knee-length hemline that opens up with a ruffled flounce just past her shins. Her shoes are relatively modest compared to what fashion might demand, but in three-inch pumps she positively towers over everyone present. Her hair's been pulled back, braided, and wrapped around her head almost like a tiara, before spilling loose down her back. Aside from a battered and well-loved silver cross around her neck, the only jewelry she sports is a pair of simple sterling clip-on earrings and a bracelet to match.

"If I fall over, I'm squishing you," she tells Richard, and leans on his arm for balance a bit more than she'd like to admit. For her size and presence, she definitely is leaning on him as much for emotional support as anything else; this is Richard's world, not hers.

Kate Kane has posed:
"Oh, my god, look at you!" Kate positively gushes, turning to Bette and clasping her shoulder with her free hand, "Cousin Butterbar. Stunning!"

The elder Kane pauses for a moment to admire Bette, her head canted slightly to one side. A moment later she gestures around them at the newly refurbished Wayne Manor, raising her eyebrows.

"See what he's done with the place? Could take a leaf out of his book for what we were talking about the other day ... " Kate doesn't elaborate, only lifting her eyebrows thoughtfully before giving her cousin another affectionate pat on the shoulder.

"Go mingle."

Lucius Fox has posed:
Lucius Fox is immediately pulled away by his wife just as he is about to talk to Bruce and he grins and shrugs at the randomness but puts a finger to his nose indicating that the meeting that didnt happen a second time is inevitable.

Elektra Natchios has posed:
For Elektra it was joining pleasure with business. She had been staying for a few days in Gotham and having received indication of the fundraiser being in a few days where else would the former Ambassador's daughter be? She had chosen a long, black gown for the evening, it zigzagging over her midriff and leaving a shoulder bare, some discreet jewelry, high heeled italians and here she was.

There was just the faintest of smiles on her lips as she made her way in, taking in the ambience, to people, the faces she knows and those she doesn't. That enigmatic smile as if she was privy to some kind of secret only she knows.

The entrance of the Wayne family only makes that smile grow more amused. For what though? She ain't telling! But there she was, making her way to get a flute of champagne for herself, gown dragging alongside the ground.

Tim Drake has posed:
Tim gives Rose a bemused look, taking her free hand and squeezing it lightly. "Well, I did say it was a political fundraiser. Those tend to... draw a bit." He gives her a lopsided grin. "But you may want to slow down. Not that I'm entirely opposed to toting you out later, but..." his tone is light, though after another quick squeeze of her hand he takes a sip of his own champagne, looking away to scan the room.

Bette Kane has posed:
With a nod Bette agrees with Kate, "Yes. Definitely fits the aesthetic, we should find take pictures," about their potential project they discussed.

Bette knows she probably has scant chance to talk to her older cousins tonight. But she smiles to Bruce and says, "The place looks amazing Bruce." She offers him a small shoulder to shoulder hug but she is going to go mingle, this is a mingling thing not a family thing.

Rose Wilson has posed:
"It's just one." Rose passes off the empty glass, and at least doesn't take a second one right away. Look, she's slowing down. She glances around, noting all those faces that are both familiar, and unfamiliar. It's to the unfamiliar that her attention turns, and she tilts her chin just a bit towards the crowd of people, "How many of these people do you know?"

Johnny Storm has posed:
Meggan's smile receives one in kind from Johnny Storm, his head inclined towards her and a little grin showing upon his lips as he collects his own glass of champagne from the passing servers, as well as some sort of little sandwhich Hors d'oeuvres which he pops into his mouth and munches down quite quickly. His gaze shifts to scanning the crowd for any other faces that might be familiar, either from personal experience, or through their fame.

Tim Drake has posed:
Tim considers. "Mm. Know, or know-know? I mean, most of these people I've met a time or eight over the years-- other fundraisers, holiday galas... that sort of thing. The Founding Families of Gotham, and the New Bloods..." that latter might have a small hint of edge... of the Gotham elites, the Founders and the New Blood riche tend to butt heads as often as they work together, "do a lot of parties and social functions, after all. Before my parents died, if it was appropriate? I'd go with them. After... well, I'm the last of the Drakes, so I kind of have to go regardless." He shrugs lightly. He does, however, snag another glass of champagne for Rose. No need to let her not have something to sip at. And ever-so-politely drops a kiss on her hand before he finally releases it.

"But I'm not close, really, with any outside the Waynes or the Kanes. Well, beyond a few individuals." He nods towards Lucius and his wife.

Bruce Wayne has posed:
Bruce gives an amused grin and a shrug to Lucius as he's dragged away, along with a far more subtle hand-signal that effectively equals to "all is well, enjoy the party." He glances over the room, looking a bit wry as he spots Selina talking to Lincoln. He returns the half-hug with Bette and replies, "Thank you, Bette, but you know Alfred deserves most of the credit for that. I just sign the papers he puts in front of me." He gives her a merry wink, and a wave as she scoots off to mingle. Now he finds himself at a bit of a crossroads...the media grinder or the society shuffle? He votes the latter, if only because he knows they'll likely be more offended if he attends to warming up the Media for Lincoln first. So for a time, he's lost in the swirl of Gotham's Who's Who, greeting neighbors, business partners, business rivals, and politicians in kind. Hello <insert name here>, so glad you could make it, your wife looks lovely, insert light joke here. I know what you did on that business trip to Southeast Asia and you will be in Blackgate later this year (OK, that part is just in his head on one particular person). Ad-nauseum as the crowd parades by.

Lincoln March smiles brightly to Selina, "Miss Kyle, I believe? The pleasure is all mine. My only regret is that we haven't met sooner." He extends a hand, though whether it's for a firm handshake or a "hand air kiss" depends on how she presents her own. "Thank you so much for coming. Your work with Gotham's Humane Societies and the ASPCA is practically legendary, though I'm certainly glad your philanthrophy isn't entirely reserved for our four-legged and furry friends."

Dick Grayson has posed:
"Firstly, fair," Dick notes as he grabs a flute for himself and sips, "The good news is that, quite frankly, Bruce is going to be the one getting the attention, tonight. Well, him and the mayor. People come to see and bee seen here, so we should be fine."

The squishing comment gets a chuckle, "Secondly, also fair," and gladly provides support as needed, "I do appreciate you coming because things like this can cause problems for me, namely it's good to have friends here that I am not related to." He does have an extensive adoptive family. "Besides, it should be a lot of fun, there are people to meet, come on!" He then moves towards Kate and Bette, "Kate, Bette, I'd like to introduce you two to Doctor Caitlin Fairchild, a good friend of mine." Dick looks to Caitlin, "These are my cousins Kate and Bette Kane."

Jason Todd has posed:
While finishing off his drink and pouring a second, Jason Todd scans the room, noting a few familiar faces. The Kane cousins obviously, Steph and her boyfriend, Lucius and his family, the Commish and so on. Though spotting Elektra among the crowd earns an arched brow. That was unexpected.

He doesn't make an effort to catch the woman's eye, but he does say to the bartender. "Can I get another glass here."

Carrie Kelley has posed:
"Hey," Carrie greets Jason as she comes up next to him offering him a wry grin. "You going to sit and drink all night?" Leaning her elbows on the bar she grins at him giving a little shrug. She had no real need to go and mingle herself at the moment though she'd likely make a pass to say hello to the Mayor at some point. The evening was, indeed, based on him and Bruce. They were just there to add some extra presence to the night. "It's not often we manage to get you all gussied up."

Rose Wilson has posed:
"Sounds complicated." Rose says those words, but there's a distinct feeling that she understands it is not complicated at all, and she gets it. Probably just looking at it more like a chess game, or something, than human interaction. The new glass is taken, an amused smile crossing her face for a split second before she tucks her arm through his, "So who are they?"

They being Lucius and his wife, since Tim so kindly pointed out non-family members for her to stare at.

Meggan Puceanu has posed:
In social situations such as this, the fizzy liquor in a narrow flute serves as invitation and entry fee, helpful tool and social compass. Meggan steps lightly around the socialites and captains of business, stopping to offer a muted greeting by smile or vivid, warm looks with a few rare words now and then. Better to circle the sharks as a curious fish than be devoured from the get go, an intrigued look tracing after Elektra upon arrival. It may well be the enigma presented by the woman's expression or just the way she carries herself. Passing matters, all the same, as eventually those inward passes will bring her ultimately to the mayor and his Wayne associates themselves.

But first things first, which brings her inward to another famed figure. One fiery torch-person. "I confess this to be a surprise, and yet it should not be, Mr. Storm," she provides as an opener, not while he is munching down hors d'oeuvres, but awaiting that instant after a swallow. "It's a very good turnout for a political fundraiser. Thoughts so far?"

Bette Kane has posed:
As is required, as Bette starts to mingle she finds herself face to face with a General. She salutes to him and he gives a quick salute back, then they shake hands and smile. She'd not met his wife before and this was a great opportunity to chat briefly about the city and her career in the military. A great way to network.. this is how careers fast track. Not that she's sure this is really the career for her, but it's serving well as a cover for her 'hobbies'.

Speaking of work, she approaches the media to do their little blitz. She's good at cameras. They're everywhere at tennis tournaments. The questions come fast and quick but she doesn't have to answer 'who made your dress' tonight. "As a representative of the US Military I cannot publicly endorse a political candidate," she says once she has their attention. "My cousin sure does have good taste though," she says with a motion to the room at large and a coy little wink to the camera. Skirting the rules, as all Kane's do.

Bette rounds out her tour of the room back through the mingling and spies Dick with Caitlin, though she doesn't know the latter except by reputation. "Dick!," she says and offers him a shoulder to shoulder hug as well. "Another of these things. I heard you went to the Gala, how was it?" She offers her hand to Caitlin, "Hi I'm Bette Kane."

Kate Kane has posed:
"Hi, Dick," Kate answers, more subdued but no less pleased to see him. She leans in to give him an air-kiss on the cheek, squeezing his shoulder after Bette has given her greeting. Obligingly, she turns to face the young lady to whom they're being introduced as Dick speaks.

"Oh my," Kate turns to Caitlin, leaning back slightly and giving her a very obvious head-to-toe look, "All this and a doctor too? Where have you been?"

Tim Drake has posed:
"My boss and his wife, actually," Tim replies to Rose's query with amusement. "That's Lucius and Tanya Fox. Lucius is the CEO of Wayne Enterprises, but he came up through the R&D division and has a lot of love for it still. Technically, I'm a junior engineer there when I'm not in class." Ah, day jobs. Nepotism. The I-don't-want-to-look-idle rich. He does glance towards Dick and Dick's date, but figures he'll pry later. Jason's off getting plastered at the bar... sounds about par for the course.

Punchline has posed:
The press is waiting on the Mayor's speech before they're officially allowed to ask any, and so Alexis is still left to occupy and amuse herself until then. Naturally, at a place packed to the gills with rich people, it's not really that hard. For a few moments, she can be seen speaking with an older gentleman at the end of one of the refreshment tables. "You're terrible!" she tells him, laughing, almost giggling, and reaching to touch his arm as she does. "Hold that thought, though, I'm working, and I need to get a few quotes and that kind of thing. I'll find you later, hmm?" And off she goes, back into the crowd, slinking and prowling until she finds someone apparently unattended. That, as it turns out, ends up being the prodigal Bat-child seen alone at the bar.

One Jason Todd.

"Hmm, you don't look like you're having a good time," she announces, stepping up to the bar beside him. "So how'd you end up here, if it isn't your scene?"

Caitlin Fairchild has posed:
Caitlin eyes the serving tray, and makes a little plaintive gesture at the passing waiter. "I'm so sorry-- could you grab me a ginger ale? Or whatever's non-alcoholic, please?" she requests, quietly. Then Richard's moving again, and Caitlin's tugged along by the fingers curled around his bicep.

"Well, you know me and meeting people," Caitlin tells Richard-- but she squeezes his arm and flashes a smile at him. He's the consummate playboy and social critter, and Caitlin's an introvert at heart.

She drops her hands in front of her, clutch loosely held in front of her thighs, while Richard exchanges hugs and greetings with the Kanes. "Hi Bette, I'm Caitlin, I'm a friend of Richard's," she says with a cordial and friendly smile.

Kate's more direct greeting nets a blinking confusion and a little pink around Caitlin's ears. "I... um. Around?" she hedges. "I-I live in Queens," she offers, as if that helps at all. "I'm Caitlin, it's nice to meet you, Kate."

She gestures from Bette to Kate, trying to find something intelligible to say. "A-re you two... sisters?" she hedges. "I didn't know Richard had cousins."

Selina Kyle has posed:
    Selina nods once with a smile in confirmation when Lincoln March correctly identifies her, putting on a bit of an amused purr as she responds, "Mmm, please, call me Selina." She says, and opts for the hand-air-kiss to the back of her hand.
    She likes it the fancy flattering way! She's allowed~
    She flashes a bit of a grin and coyly replies "Well, what can I say, humans have grown on me, lately." with a playful smile. "Doesn't hurt to have a... bit of a competitive spirit. Between two tall dark handsome saviors of Gotham, I feel like I need to step up my philanthropy game~"
    Yes, she's flirting the Mayor. No, she probably has not thought this through. It's Selina Kyle.

Johnny Storm has posed:
"You're looking quite stunning." Johnny says as he finds himself in the company of Meggan, offering a soft laugh, "And, I figured, I missed the MET, so I should find something equally flashy to show up to, and it seems like we've a decent cause to support here. My thoughts? Typical old money affair really. Some interesting faces in the crowd though, quite a few I can't really place."

Lucius Fox has posed:
Lucius Fox finally puts the nonsense to 'bed' metaphorically and scans the room and moves towards Tim as his wife deals with a random potential aquisition that she thinks Lucius wants whether he knows it yet or not. He drifts through the morass of people, Tanya doing what they do better than him, but smiling and engaging in small chit chat as he works the room eventually returning back to where he was. "Junior engineer for now." he adds, "One of the brightest stars in the company. We dont need to engage in nepotism mode.

Jason Todd has posed:
Carrie's arrival is a welcome surprise, and Jason glances down at his tux. "Yeah, don't get used to it, just here for the free food and booze," he says wryly. He nods to his bottle, "Want me to get a third glass?" he asks.

Whether Carrie accepts or not Jason does ask, "So, where's Hank?" he says. "You guys still a thing?"

Another person joins them in the form of Punchline. "Family thing," he says surprised to find someone who doesn't know he's one of Bruce's kids. "You?"

Elektra too is noticed, and given a slight nod, an invite to join the growing little knot of people around him.

Bette Kane has posed:
Bette's grin grows a little wider at Caitlin trying to grasp the complexities of Bruce's extended family. She peeks at Kate and smirks to her, "Kate and Bruce are my cousins. I'm the youngest of the generation. Definitely not sisters." She upgrades that peek to a wink and says, "So.. Dick would be my second cousin in that fact. I'd be happy to explain the family tree in more detail to you some time, though perhaps tonight isn't the best choice. You look stunning, relax, everyone is here for Bruce and March."

Rose Wilson has posed:
"So he makes gadgets?" Or used to. Whatever. Rose files that information away, sipping from the champagne as she lets her attention start to wander away from Lucius and his wife, until the subject of the conversation turns up. Rose glances from Tim, to Lucius, then she offers a hand, "Rose Wilson."

Tim Drake has posed:
"Ah. Mr. Fox!" Tim grins as the older man greets him and his date. "Yes, well," Tim hedges, "he used to. And I appreciate the compliment, sir, but my skills are nothing on yours." He nods towards Rose. "My date for this evening. Rose, this is, as I was telling you, Lucius Fox."

Stephanie Brown has posed:
Stephanie Brown returns from the little tour of the manor she'd been giving, though she's by herself as she enters the ballroom. Her date being off somewhere at the moment, Stephanie goes to get a refill on her drink and then looks around. Spotting familiar faces here and there, seeing them blending into the posh event in ways she never quite feels herself.

The blond Gothamite makes her way over towards where she sees Carrie and Jason together. Along the way she tries to catch Tim's eye, giving him a quick smile of encouragement as she spots him there with the same date as she's met before. Stephanie reaches Carrie, Jason, Punchline and Elektra, but just hovers nearby for the moment to not interrupt.

Bruce Wayne has posed:
With most of the invited guests present and the party nearing the point where it's fully underway, Bruce makes his way to stand behind that table bearing the relief of Gotham City, pulling out a wireless microphone from a small compartment beneath the model. There's no tapping or feedback or other such means to draw attention, but the lights in the ballroom dim, leaving the most well-lit space now being where Bruce is standing thanks to a spotlight from above.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to thank you all for coming tonight, and personally welcome you all to Wayne Manor. I know it's been a while, but I think we might be ready for another hundred years or so of these get-togethers now." A brief pause as a few people in the audience chuckle, "But tonight isn't about this house, or me, or even about Lincoln, who I'm proud to call my friend. Tonight is about Gotham, and its people. We all know Gothamites are some of the toughest, most resilient people in the world, but that doesn't mean they don't need help. And after the last few years, and after having had the opportunity to get to know him, I believe there's only one candidate that both recognizes where the need is, and who is prepared to take the steps to make sure those Gothamites who need it most get that help...and to that end I have pledged the support of the Wayne Foundation and Wayne Enterprises in helping to see that vision become a reality. Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my sincere pleasure to bring to the floor, Mayor Lincoln March."

Bruce Wayne has posed:
As applause erupts around the room, even a few cheers, Lincoln March politely excuses himself from Selina (though not without an entirely receptive smile...the Mayor IS practically considered the second-most eligible bachelor in Gotham right now) and replaces Bruce behind the model, shaking hands with and exchanging a few unheard pleasantries with the billionaire as he takes the stage. He lifts the Microphone, surveying the crowd a moment before he begins to speak, "Thank you, everyone, and particularly to you, Bruce, for your support and your gracious offer to host this event. I'm hopeful we can look forward to at least a few more years working together to keep Gotham as one of the greatest cities in the world." He pauses a moment, smiling a bit wryly, "So...there have been some challenges these past few years, but when I first came on board as your Mayor, I think it's safe to say we inherited a bit of a mess. The Hyperloop was years behind schedule, crime rates were still rampant in the wake of our time as 'No Man's Land,' and there were still entire neighborhoods that hadn't seen a bit of aid or rebuilding from their own government...having to rely on the generosity of folks like yourselves just to stay afloat. Now, the Hyperloop is up and running, we've opened outreach offices in nearly every neighborhood in Gotham, and while we haven't quite gotten our crime rates down to where we'd like them to be, we /have/ managed to get them back down to where they were before we were No Man's Land."

There's a brief pause for a smattering of applause before the Mayor continues, "But we're not here to take a victory lap. Tonight isn't about what we've managed to do, it's about what we intend to do moving forward. I'm sure you've all seen the advertisements...the claims that I'm your puppet, that I only care about money and business owners. That I've neglected those in Gotham who are hurting the most. Well...I take full responsibility for the fact that there are people that could feel justified in that opinion. I haven't done enough, and yes, I know that will be a soundbite on the ads by tomorrow night, but I didn't get this job by sugarcoating things and I'm not going to start now. I could give a long list of reasons as to why we haven't been able to fulfill all our promises, but that doesn't matter to the parent whose child might go hungry today, or the child who worries if their parent is going to make it home tonight because the walk home from the bus stop crosses through the wrong gang's territory. I have to do more. WE have to do more."

Bruce Wayne has posed:
A heartbeat passes, before he continues, "We have laid a foundation with the central business district and surrounding neighborhoods, and now it's time to start building up the other neighborhoods. Tonight, I am announcing to you and the City of Gotham the Narrows Renewal Project. We're not going to start with the easier jobs...we're going to tackle our greatest challenge head-on, and we're going to make Gotham's most imperiled neighborhood into a place where people can be proud to live for more reasons than the fortitude they have to possess to survive there now. Mr. Wayne has promised me that the Wayne Foundation will increase funding to their job training, free medical treatment, and drug rehabilitation programs in the Narrows, as well as several of the other less fortunate neighborhoods of Gotham, and I am prepared to take those properties that are condemned or in severe tax debt to the City and, with the help of the Wayne Foundation and other charity organizations in the city, turn them into affordable housing, and spaces for local businesses to thrive. We're going to make the Narrows the gateway to a brighter future for Gotham and ALL its people. Because we can not truly claim to be the great city I know Gotham is until we can say we have lifted up the least fortunate among us." He presses a switch on the table he stands behind, and a holographic image superimposes itself over the Narrows, showing massive amounts of new construction, park spaces, refurbished and rebuilt infrastructure...it's virtually a ground-up rebuild. Ooohs and Aaahs from some of the crowd of course commence.

Bruce Wayne has posed:
Another short pause, and Lincoln's face grows serious, almost grim, 'Now...we all know there are certain groups in Gotham that would rather see the people of the Narrows kept ground under their heel, hungry and desperate. We all know that these groups haven't taken kindly to the reforms I've tried to bring to this city, to put it lightly. Well I say to them: I will not back down. I WILL make this city a better place, and I am not afraid to die trying." There's a fervor to his words and manner, a passion, even, that despite the grim nature of what he implies still manages to hook many in the crowd into erupting into cheers and applause with the statement. He's got them in the palm of his hand, now, but it's a grip that gentles when his expression shifts back to something less dour, 'But those are challenges we'll deal with as they come. Tonight, let's celebrate what we've accomplished, and pledge together to continue the work, because there is so much more that needs to be done." He hits another switch, and this time the holographic images fade into view across ALL of Gotham, showing several new Skyscrapers in the place of older, near-condemned ones, and extensive rebuilding across all of Gotham's neighborhoods. A vision of the future? Or a dream doomed to never come to fruition? It could be a coin-flip here in Gotham...with no implication meant towards Former District Attorney Dent.

"It is my honor to have you all walking beside me. Thank you, and enjoy the party." And with that, the Mayor steps away from the table, leaving the holographic image up for others to marvel over and heading back over in the direction of Selina, to fairly thunderous applause.

"So...scale of one to ten, how'd I do?" Lincoln quips to Selina with a grin, offering an arm once he's near.

Tim Drake has posed:
Tim applauds for Lincoln March's speech, having been nodding along with the high points. "This is a guy I think Gotham can believe in," he says quietly to Lucius and Rose. "The last three years he's done amazing things, and I'm looking forward to four more years. If he can actually pull off the Narrows Renewal Project, that will be HUGE for Gotham." And, bluntly, a load off the Bat-family's backs. "Imagine the GCPD actually feeling safe enough to go into the Narrows after dark."

Kate Kane has posed:
The talk of sisters momentarily casts a pall over Kate's expression. Her mouth tightens and her brow furrows, and the flute in her hand momentarily trembles as she squeezes it a bit too hard. She turns her attention towards the speeches, the champagne flute rested gently in her hand as her mood settles.

When the speech is over, she applauds and slowly turns back to Caitlin and Dick with a conspiratorial smile.

"Queens? What else is in Queens, Bette? Dick? I need an excuse to visit."

Then she laughs, hip-bumps Dick and takes a sip of her champagne: "Razor sharp teeth away. I promise to behave. I hope you two have a wonderful evening."

Lucius Fox has posed:
Lucius Fox beams, "I still make a few gizmos, whatchamacalits and dodads, ship in a bottle here, neural interface processing chip there, reverse engineering a particularly nasty microdone there but yes, mostly I move piles of paper and moeny around so no one else does it the wrong way. Gadgets are a special occasion for christmas presents kind of thing, but I don't do VCR's. Or windows. A pleasure to meet you miss Wilson."

He immediately stops and turns to Lincoln give his speech and claps when everyone else claps, a bit louder at the parts where rebuilding is mentioned. He has seen the work himself and is an ardent and supportive backer. Lucius beams at the crowd googahs at the holographic display. He ....might...have helped set that up. This project, much as he likes the candidate, is the thing he believes in and will continue to work to help. "It's the right move."

Dick Grayson has posed:
"Cousins," Dick notes to Caitlin, "Bruce's mother was a Kane." He gives the obligatory hugs and says, "The Wayne family history is well-documented." Dick then says quietly to Caitlin, "I am sorry if this is overwhelming, it was certainly not my intention to make this uncomfortable." He gives a reassuring smile and then looks to Kate, "Been friends for about eight years, ish? But yeah, relax, it's going to be fun." He handwobbles and is about to say more when Bruce takes the podium.

Dick listens politely to his adoptive father and the Mayor speak. He listens to the talk on an aggressive approach to dealing with Gotham's problems and the former detective is genuinely impressed with the speech. Once it is over, Dick gives the obligatory, and partially genuine, applause do the speech. He looks to Kate, "Plenty of fun to be had in Queens or the rest of New York!" He chuckles and raises his glass in salute after the hip bump, "It's all good, Kate."

Bruce Wayne has posed:
Bruce Wayne, having stepped aside to listen to Lincoln's speech, claps enthusiastically at Lincoln's speech. He had been skeptical of the man at first, but he's proven himself several times over in the past few years. He's worked extensively with the GCPD to try to clean up the city with a deft touch rather than a heavy hand (even if the firepower still has to come out far more frequently than anyone likes). He truly seems to believe in Gotham and it's people, and that above all, is what wins him favor in Bruce's eyes.

Which is in large part why he makes his way towards where much of the media members have gathered, knowing that they'll want their piece of Lincoln soon enough, but he can buy him some time to let the big donors get their piece first.

Punchline has posed:
And... suddenly Jason is super popular with the ladies! Well, he can hardly complain, can he?

"Work thing," Alexis offers in reply, grinning. "I'm here to ask the Mayor annoying questions on behalf of the fine citizens of Gotham. Not a bad assignment, really. Get to play dress up, come out and rub shoulders with all the rich and beautiful, with my company paying my way. Such /terribly/ hard work, coming here and sipping fancy champagne and tossing down hors d'oeuvres." She flashes a grin, then tilts her head to observe Elektra arriving on the other side.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt, I just thought you looked lonely over here, but it seems like your friends had the same thought. I'm Alex." And just as she's introducing herself, the Mayor gets into his speech, so it seems like the brief diversion may be over. "Well, it looks like I'll have to leave you in their capable care, duty calls." She turns and starts sashaying back toward the area before the podium, doing her best to join in the applause without disturbing the glass in one of her hands. Soon, she's pushing forward with the rest of the crowd, "Mayor March, Mayor March!"

Rose Wilson has posed:
Does Rose care about speeches? Nope. But she at least doesn't embarass Tim by wandering off, or talking. So she sips at the champagne and remains silent while she listens. When Tim makes his observation she nods, "Sure...that would be new. And different."

And she doesn't believe it'll ever happen.

Meggan Puceanu has posed:
"When in Rome?" Meggan replies to Johnny, tipping her head to watch the endless comings and goings. The press opportunity remains far enough for some actual socializing and eavesdropping in the most unabashed fashion. Society doyennes and business mavens might name-drop choice gossip, offering soundbites to capture later on. The blonde tips her head forward, shining locks pulled back in a loose braid in a futile effort to keep the radiant wealth of Midas' kingdom under control. So far, the pointed ears are very and fully hidden. "Just soaking it all in almost makes up for the ride on the Hyperloop. Not that trains aren't lovely. Here you are, though, and I'm sure it is much appreciated. Is there anyone you would suggest speaking with?" The last comes quietly but not without a bit of a laugh. "Mr. Wayne excluded. Even I know him."

She starts to hush when Bruce heads up to the podium, and the lights go down. When the mayor follows him, her expression turns keenly attentive. Someone could drive a truck past and she probably wouldn't notice. Lincoln's words keep her focused, golden eyebrows wrinkled slightly. Applauding with the rest happens, but she is thinking, clearly.

Elektra Natchios has posed:
Having finally reached the bar and asking for her flute of champagne Elektra offers a very brief nod of acceptance to join in with Jason's 'posse' yet her attention is devoted to the speech for a time, watching, a calculating look to her eyes. "Not bad. The man does seem to have heart." she comments.

Eyes then drift back to the others, Jason, Carrie and Alexis. The faint smile is present and she speaks in a rather refined accent. "Good evening." and as it's time for introductions she does the same. "Elektra Natchios." then a glance around the large ballroom. "This is quite the beautiful ballroom. My first visit, unfortunately."

Though Steph doesn't get forgotten. She still recalls her from a certain party. "It's been a while since we last met, Ms. Brown. How do you do?"

Caitlin Fairchild has posed:
Caitlin joins the applause along with everyone else. She's not the most politically active of individuals, but Lincoln sure *sounds* good and the ambitious project generally meshes with her ideals of 'doing good, helping people'.

"Yeah, Richard and I--" Caitlin pauses. Cover stories, darnit! She can't exactly out Richard's alter-ego. "Well, it's a boring story, and Richard tells it better than I do," she says, a little lamely. "But yeah, we've known each other... gosh, feels like all my life." She flashes a smile at her friend and gives his arm a reassuring squeeze. Overwhelmed, yes, but she's clearly relaxing a little as Grayson takes point on socializing.

The waiter returns and hands Caitlin a fizzy drink; she takes a careful sniff, then sips it and finds it to her liking. "Mm--" Caitlin recalls Bette's words in the tumult, and gestures at her. "I like your outfit also. Where'd you get yours?" It might be levity; it's probably just nerves prompting Caitlin to ask an Obvious Question with an Obvious Answer.

Selina Kyle has posed:
    The applause Selina offers at various appropriate points is polite, at first; but as March's speech goes on, and its intensity - and the apparent sincerity at its core - ramps up, Selina gradually rogets to put on airs, sufficiently caught up in the moment to be wowed and wide eyed as the holographic vision for Gotham's future becomes a point of study.
    How likely is this to all come to pass? Hell if Selina knows; she was born in this city, and she knows where the wind tends to blow. But she's also picked up a distinct fondness for a certain... intensity and passion in particular types of men. It speaks to her.
    When Lincoln March returns to her, Selina smiles playfully and makes a bit of a show of fanning herself with one hand as she says, "I'll have to get back to you on that when the room cools down." She grins, then, and says, "You did a wonderful job, Mr. Mayor. I dare say I won't be swayed for at least a few more abrasive news cycles~"

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Carrie Kelley wrinkles her nose a bit at the mention of the drink though she shakes her head in denial. "You know I don't drink. Makes my face all red," she points out as if this were the only reason to avoid alcohol. Then again she was a ginger, it was likely true. "Yeah, we're still dating. Henry has a lecture series he's attending tonight though he said he'd try to pop in for a bit," she points out only to grin fondly at the thought.

The others edging in are noticed as well earning a grin when she spots Stephanie. Stretching an arm out to the blonde she greets, "Steph! You look great. Roberto, too," she adds with a chuckle of amusement. As for the other two women? She merely arches an eyebrow, and gives Jason a wink. Maybe he'd meet someone himself tonight.

She nods politely to Elektra a moment as she regards the woman... Then recognition clicks. "Ah! Yes I think we both attended the same charity event at the Hellfire club. It's good to see you again, Ms. Natchios. I do hope you're enjoying yourself so far in this dusty old place."

Bette Kane has posed:
It's safe to say things have been hard up to this point.. but tackling the narrows is a heck of a giant leap forward. Those people have been so beaten down they embody the ideal of Gotham resilience. Even a helping hand is considered a threat by most of them. She almost mouths a sarchastic 'good luck' under her breath, but ever the actress she simply smiles and knows there'll need to be some strategising with Kate later about how to handle the pushback this is going to generate.

"Dick is one of the good ones. Very proud to call him my friend." She offers a fist bump-explosion dap to Dick and shrugs to Kate, "Do we really need more of an excuse? it's called Queens." The touchy subject of Kate's sister is not lost on her though, but she knows better than to poke at that wound. Her other cousin is.. problematic. She smiles to Caitlin, "Funny. The US Military of course," she says with a grin and touches her rank insignia, "I'm a 2nd Lieutenant."

Bette takes the time to sink in to the background for a bit, a wall helps. She's gotten a rhythm for these things - a bit of chat, a bit of quiet, repeat. Without it, she knows she won't last the night.

Tim Drake has posed:
Tim seems to catch a bit of Rose's disbelief, and he gives her a wry look. "Well, at least he'll try. But let's go bother Dick and his date. Anything to avoid small talk with someone who 'knew my dad' and has advice on how to manage my family's estate." He nods to Lucius. "Good talking to you boss, I'll be in Tuesday." And with that, he and Rose make their way over to the knot of cousins and doctor around the eldest Batling.

"Hey Dick," he greets them. "Bette, Kate." He nods to Caitlin. "I'm Tim, Miss...?"

Dick Grayson has posed:
"And Bette is nothing short of an officer and a lady," Dick says with sincerity, "Proud to call her family and friend." He also nods, "Have a good evening, Bette!" He says as she slips away, though the stillness is shortlived as Tim and Rose arrive.

"Tim! This is my good friend Doctor Caitlin Fairchild. Caitlin, this is my brother Tim and his date Rose," Dick nods to Rose in greeting. "I hope the two of you are having fun, so far? Or is it the usual?" The latter is given a grin, "But at least it's gone off without a hitch, so far."

Bruce Wayne has posed:
Lincoln grins wryly at Selina's response, "Well then I guess I'll have to time another speech for a few abrasive news cycles from now. Wouldn't want to lose you before Election Day." He can't quite keep steady conversation with Selina as there's a press of well-wishers that swoop in to get their facetime. Lincoln handles them adroitly, however, promising no more than he's already pledged, but with ever-present courtesy and charm. If Selina deigns to stay by his side he certainly seems content to have her there. Try as Bruce might, though, he can't keep ALL the press away from Lincoln, and first it's a gossip columnist who of course asks about Selina's presence with all the implication in the world.

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves, Miss Kyle and I have only been friendly acquaintances for..." He looks to Selina, "About ten minutes?" He says with a laugh, moving on to the next, who turns out to be "Alex."

"Go ahead, Miss" he indicates Punchline, still smiling.

Meanwhile, Bruce is making statements to some of the other press. Nothing scandalous, but certainly re-iterating his support for Lincoln with conviction.

Lucius Fox has posed:
Lucius graciously nods and smiles. And he believes it too, unless his other job interferes. He weaves back among th ecrowd eventually approacing Lincoln, though he takes a moment to read the room. Crazy Ivans are good things, and he looks around to make sure nothing is out of place. So far so good, he resumes merging into the organic flow of the crowd, following the occasional read from his better half.

Jason Todd has posed:
"I thought your freckles took care of that," Jason deadpans with a smirk just tugging at the edge of his lips he says about Carrie's face. It's teasingly meant though and he lets it go at that. "And shame about Hank, got to be some lecture to miss all this," he says with a roll of his eyes as he gestures at the crowd of assembled blue bloods.

Jason pauses for the mayor's speech, eyes rolling a little bit more and pouring and downing his third drink of the night in the middle of it. Clearly social reform isn't holding his interest.

When it's over he has his fourth poured and nods to Alexis, "Good to meet you," he says. "If you ever want dirt on the Waynes look me up," he teases lightly. "And ask March when Park Row can expect the same treatment as the Narrows." Jason's old stomping grounds, the so-called, 'Crime Alley'.

As for Elektra, she's give a nod, :"Jason Todd, nice to meet you," he says. "This is my sister Carrie Kelly, and that over there," he's surprised when Steph and Elektra know each other. "Is someone you've already met," he turns to Steph then. "Blondie, want some scotch?" he did have that empty glass to fill.

Punchline has posed:
"... oh, I definitely will," Alexis calls back at Jason. But now, it's showtime!

"Alex Evans," that is not her real name, "for gothambuzz dot com. Mayor March, I was wondering if you might expand a little on your crime comments. Even if you're back to pre-disaster levels, Gotham still sets national records in many categories of violent crime. And there is a lot of criticism of the measures that have even got you this far. Some highlight the bizarre mental health system, and suggest you rely on custodial treatment as an end-run to legal due process: that places like Arkham are basically warehousing institutions, serving to -breed- criminality more than treat it, while circumventing the civil rights of those incarcerated."

The woman takes a brief pause here, albeit more for dramatic effect, as she leads into the obvious other shoe: "Civil rights issues stemming from the fact that Gotham has seemingly /surrendered/ its policing duties to an ever-growing army of well-armed, masked, and violent vigilantes. You could never actually convict Batman's victims - often the mentally ill - so you lock them away in that ludicrous madhouse. Until they inevitably escape, given that it's not actually a proper prison."

Then she looks back toward the crowd. "And while that's a really pretty expensive display you've put up, isn't this a bit of a tone-deaf rebuttal to the very critics you mention? We all know that Gotham is full of old money, and that these same families, the Waynes, Kanes," she starts with those present, even looking in their direction, "the Arkhams, Cobblepotts, and others, that they've always positioned themselves as community leaders and yet left us the broken, corrupt Gotham we see today. So now you and the Waynes are going to tear down the slums and build some fancy riverfront properties. Why should we think those rents won't skyrocket as Gotham's rich-poor divide remains? You talk about free health care, can Bruce Wayne personally bankroll a city's safety net? Isn't this all a bit pie in the sky?"

Rose Wilson has posed:
"You don't want advice on how to manage your estate?" Rose wonders, giving Lucius a nod before she's guided towards the other group, finishing the champagne in her hand and passing it off before she offers the others a nod of greeting. "Hello." When introduced she at least looks towards each person, "Wonderful party. The speech was the best."

Stephanie Brown has posed:
Stephanie Brown gives Elektra a smile back that either means she remembers having met her before, or is doing a champion job of faking it if not. "Yes, so nice to see you again," she says, flashing the smile over to the other woman. "Quite an event isn't it?" she says, and likely giving away she's not quite used to this particular lifestyle in saying so.

She looks over to Carrie at the greeting, Stephanie warming up further. "Thank you. And thank you for Roberto. He's out looking at the grounds, should be back in a bit," she says. Stephanie must have heard the comment about Henry as she says, "Too bad Doctor McCoy couldn't make it. It was nice getting to know him out by the pool," she says.

Stephanie listens to the speech, then glances over towards Jason just as one of the women he was talking to departs. "Was looking forward to seeing who you brought," she tells Jason. She glances towards the empty glance and hesitates. "No, but thanks. I think I'll have enough of a time keeping my foot out of my mouth without a drink to help get it there," she jokes.

Lucius Fox has posed:
And there it is. A ripple in the data, the tangle on the web. Tanya notices it first, and the subtle ripples around the mayor indicate that the question is more than a "why do you want to tax us" question though he doesnt catch all of it, he slowly moves into that general area of the room. Curious. Cautious. Concerned.

Elektra Natchios has posed:
"It was." Elektra's smile deepens just so, eyes resting on Carrie a moment. "Quite the event too." then a gesture with her flute to the surroundings. "I cannot complain so far. Good drinks, interesting company. As it should be." she takes a long drink from her flute, mostly draining it.

"Enchanted." She then says to Jason's introduction, dipping her head a touch. "Scotch. You do like the strong ones. I will accept a glass if you are offering."

Tim Drake has posed:
Tim gives a polite incline of his head towards Caitlin. "Doctor, then. It's good to meet you." He looks towards Rose and wrinkle his nose a bit. "Not really. Most of that advice is 'I have a daughter your age', after all-- not much management advice so much as a hostile takeover." He gives Dick a nod, nursing his drink-- until Alex's shouted question causes a ripple in the room, and though there is still a slight buzz of conversation... it's a lot quieter now.

Tim frowns towards the press pool. "And here I thought the most trouble was going to come from Page 6," he mutters under his breath towards Dick.

Johnny Storm has posed:
"Well.. that's a good question." Johnny says as he glances across the crowd, "I see a few folk we could speak to perhaps if you'd like, and if you're interesting in skipping the hyperloop ride home, I can give you a ride, show you one of the new sustainable technologies we're working on." Johnny says as an aside to Meggan, flashing her a touch of a grin, "Would you like to make the rounds perhaps?"

Selina Kyle has posed:
    Selina gives a soft laugh and nods to Lincoln, "Sounds like a plan. Heck, if this whole 'mayor' thing falls through, we can look into stirring speeches as a service~" She teases, though she does take a polite step back as the parade of wellwishers filter back in to steal back some of the time she used up. Though when questions start coming in that are positively sagging with implication, she looks somewhere between amused and 'caught'. She really should have known better than to invite this, buuuuut it's still funny.
    Selina checks an imaginary watch and confirms "Nnnnnine or ten minutes, yeah." With a grin, "It's a little early for a whirlwind romance, but give him another..." Selina makes a show of looking Lincoln over appraisingly "... month? Couple weeks?" - she resumes speaking like normal, "-of looking like this and ask me again~"
    Alexis does draw a bit of a raised eyebrow from Selina who discreetly sighs, "Ah, sounds like their magazine's not selling well. My condolences." Said more to Lincoln in solidarity than anything else.

Caitlin Fairchild has posed:
Caitlin flashes a smile and ducks her head at Rose and Tim, albeit a bit awkwardly. Despite her glamorous appearance, she doesn't have remotely the sense of effortless social grace that comes to old money. In fact she sounds like an Iowa farm girl, no matter what dress she's got on.

"It's swell to meet you, Tim," Caitlin tells him. "Richard's always going on about his family. I'm sorry it's taken so long for us to meet," she says. "And please-- Caitlin. I'm not that kind of doctor," she adds, with a pleasant giggle. "I'm a biologist, not an MD."

She's cut off by Alex's piercing admonition to the wealthy; Caitlin can't help but purse her lips a little in sympathy. It's not like she hasn't survived on largess a time or two in her life, also.

"Are you a friend of Tim and Richard's?" Caitlin asks Rose. "I have the strangest feeling we've met before somewhere."

Meggan Puceanu has posed:
"The rounds. Why don't we?" Meggan winces slightly at the crush of interest falling upon the would-be mayoral superstar. She is not one of the well-wishers and not one of the plants paid handsomely or disposed already to tear down the good name of Mr. March, just a bystander. All the same, she reaches her hand up to her temple. Her smile hardly moves, though she shakes her head a little. Empathy hurts in such proximity to a crowd.

The gown glimmers in its spilled wine shimmer and she shifts on her toes, smoothly silken in moment. She murmurs to Johnny, "I wondered about being the first to add a few of the hard questions. Tone matters a great deal, doesn't it? This might make it smarter to drop an email inquiring about a meeting, but a public forum often nets truth better than not."

Bruce Wayne has posed:
"Well, that's certainly a lot to respond to, Ms. Evans, but I'll do my best." Lincoln takes in every word she says with a keen attentiveness, not really at all like the usual preoccupied half-attention many politicians grant in such circumstances. Maybe he's just still young, but regardless it's clear he's actively listening to what's being asked.

"First, on the matter of Arkham Asylum, I'm not going to try to fool anyone into thinking that particular institution hasn't had more than it's fair share of problems. However my priority when becoming Mayor was returning Gotham to stability, and bluntly, for all we've done, things were bad enough that it is an unfortunate truth that in many cases, the best we could do in three short years was "less bad." That, and for all the dedicated and wonderful staff members of dutiful civil servants I have working with me, we can only do so much at once. Arkham Asylum is very much on my radar, but I have to get through items one through fifty of our list before I can get to fifty one. That said, given that Arkham is a medical treatment center, there are privacy and federal legality issues that can at times tangle up attempts at reform or the City government interfering too much in their day-to-day business. Again, Arkham is something that has absolutely been on my mind, and as I said in my speech, it's one of many things that we are simply going to have to do better."

(OOC: He's going to answer the other questions, just figured I'd break it up to digestible chunks)

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Carrie Kelley dips her head toward Elektra when Jason introduces her as his sister. A little lift of her hand waggles her fingers toward her and she grins. "Yet another of the Wayne adoptees," she confirms with a chuckle. At least the boys all kind of looked sort of alike. Tall, dark hair. She stood out quite a bit compared to her adopted siblings. "It's good to have the manor around again. Spent a lot of time here as a kid," she offers with a nod.

She shifts away from the drinking Jason with a pat on his shoulder, and a grin cast toward Stephanie as well. "I think Henry may still be a little nervous about meeting dad," she points out with her head tipping in the direction of the elder Wayne where ever he may be loitering in the crowd. "A big event like this is probably not helping. But it's okay, we can't be together every second of every day. Should we go bug Tim and Dick and their dates? I mean, they look way too comfortable for me."

Dick Grayson has posed:
"It was a good speech," Dick notes to Rose and then looks to Tim, "Those questions are always awkward. You don't get used to them, sadly," and there is only one real defense. He looks over to Alex after hearing the commentary, he raises a brow, but says nothing. Everything may as well be next to a hot mic right now.

Dick does nod to Tim regarding Page Six, but he whispers, "It's not over yet, knowing our luck you just summoned them like a wizard." He takes a sip and relaxes his posture, at least a little. He looks to Rose, curious to hear her response.

Lucius Fox has posed:
Lucius Fox is next to Tanya who gives him a warning look about responding to this. The narrows project is something he believes in, just as much as fixing Arkham, but the latter is a pit through which good ideas go to die. He has built up and created entirely new technologies people thought were impossible that have proven easier to fix than that. But he keeps his mouth shut. For now.

Johnny Storm has posed:
A wry grin flashes out to Meggan as he offers out his arm to her, "Well, why don't you point me towards whoever you'd like to speak to." He says, giving a slight nod of his head towards her, "And I'll find us way to get in there to talk to them." He says with a chuckle.

Rose Wilson has posed:
"Me?" Rose glances at Caitlin, covering the surprise at the question fairly quickly before she nods, "Tim and I go way back, to when we were little." She holds a hand up, about a fraction of an inch shorter than she is normally when not in heels to indicate just how high she's talking.

Then she offers that same hand towards Caitlin, "Rose Wilson." It probably helps Caitlin to pin down just why she might look familiar.

Bette Kane has posed:
Bette turns as she hears the onslaught of questions from some blogger. A small twitch at the edge of her mouth. Screw it, tonight she's going to have one drink of whisky. She hails down one of the waiters and grabs a glass, neat, then heads out to the balcony to enjoy some fresher air and to sip at the golden liquid warming her insides. That's the way these things go, but Lincolm sure knows how to charm them. It is his job.

She takes out her phone and sends a message to her father and mother, "You two should have been here for this, it's pretty amazing what they've done to the Wayne manor." A moment later a reply ding ~Honey that world is yours now, enjoy it while you're young~. "Meh," she declares loudly to herself and then chuckles, once again wondering where life will take her next. No doubt to the narrows.

Bruce Wayne has posed:
Lincoln March continues on from the ARkham question, segueing into the next with a tiny bit of a wry expression, "Now I know this is the part where I'm supposed to say I cannot officially condone or support unsanctioned vigilante activity in the City of Gotham. So there, I said it. Now, let me add that costumed vigilantes are a fact of life not just in Gotham, but around the world. We live in in an extraordinary world with extraordinary problems, that sometimes takes extraordinary individuals to combat, and Gotham is not an exception to that rule. If anything, quite the contrary. Our Champions may be more shadowy and grim than a friendly demigod from another planet, or a living legend of World War II, or even a billionaire in a very fancy metal suit, but they are /our/ Champions. They have been there for Gotham time and time again, and perhaps they have stumbled at times. Perhaps they have wavered. No one really knows if the Batman and his allies are entirely human or not, but I choose to believe that at least in his heart and spirit, he very much is...and every human makes mistakes. But the plain, ugly truth is that without them, this city would be nothing more than a mass grave a dozen times over. So, I officially do not condone vigilante activity in Gotham. But I'm damn glad they're here."

(OOC: But wait, there's more!)

Tim Drake has posed:
And sure enough, while Tim is listening to Lincoln March's responses, a young woman in a low-cut dress sidles up to the group. "Oooh! Dick Grayson and Tim Drake, sons of ~*Bruce Wayne~*! WHO are your lovely dates, hmm? Angelica Major, page six."

Tim actually audibly groans... about the time Jason's voice carries across the room.

Jason Todd has posed:
"Fair enough Blondie," Jason says to Steph before Elektra elects to have that scotch. "Glad you're partaking then, hate to drink alone, it means I have a problem," he says playing things up a little for the audience. Hey, he's got to live up to his reputation as the family bad boy after all! He pours the drink and slides it to Elektra. "It's definitely good stuff, so, what brings you out to this thing?" he asks the Ambassador's daughter. "Business, or pleasure?" he asks.

Carrie's suggestion though does get a nod. "They do, don't they," Jason agrees looking over at his siblings. "But let's do one better," he says before calling out, "HEY Tim, Dick, Carrie and I have decided you and your dates can come join the cool kids table!"

He looks to Carrie. "There. Situation handled."

Meggan Puceanu has posed:
"Surprise me. You know the interesting people." Meggan smiles, swift to settle on the decision as she loops her arm through Johnny's. The easier to move in a crowd if he cuts open the crush for her and keep anyone from stepping on the hem of the burgundy skirt stricken with the neighbourhoods of the city in silver flash and glimmering work. "Though at this rate having a press pass of any sort will get me tossed into the sea. The right time to keep an eye out for any innovative floating cars."

Angelica Major will eventually register over there.

Caitlin Fairchild has posed:
It's /almost/ on the tip of her tongue, but Caitlin's memory fails to connect the stylish young woman with the rakish look to a certain mercenary of a familial acquaintance. But she still smiles pleasantly enough and shakes Rose's hand. Caitlin's palms are lightly callused, like someone who works out regularly (with those arms, it's impossible that she doesn't). There is also zero give whatsoever to her grip. Fortunately she curls her fingers only slightly around Rose's hand in a gentle clasp. "I used to live in Gotham," Caitlin explains. "Over on Dyer street. Nothing fancy. Maybe I've seen you around before," she offers apologetically. "I'm sure it'll come to me. I probably stole a cab from you or something," she says, going for a joke.

She sips her drink and looks around, unconsciously stepping a few inches closer to Dick again. She seems a little more relaxed with the Wayne scion doing the introductions, and shelters under the umbrella of his social influences. "How did you and Tim meet, then?" she inquires of Rose.

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Carrie Kelley gives a little groan when Jason calls out to them across the room. It really did take some doing to get a voice to carry like that but Jason always was good at getting attention when he wanted it. Chuckling she waves toward the group yelled at, perhaps just in time for them to be offered an escape from the gossip columns. Thankfully she'd rarely been on them herself. So far.

"Yeah, I'm sure you're gonna get punched for that one," she teases quietly back to Jason only to shake her head again. "They do look like they could use a rescue. Whose the new redhead Dick's with?" Everyone knew of his... particular taste there.

Dick Grayson has posed:
Dick sighs and gives Tim the 'This is your fault' look. He then says politely to the reporters. "This is a dear friend of mine, Doctor Fairchild, but I think the real story tonight is how Gotham is going to move forward. To do the right thing and try to make life better for /everybody/. Not just the privileged few. We are going to be putting our money where our moth is." He nods politely, though he hates dealing with society press. He then sees Jason and says, "If you'll excuse us, we have something to attend to." And if Caitlin allows, he will lead her over to the 'cool kid's table'.

At the table, Dick will says, "Thanks, Jason. We needed that, though hopefully they do not give chase." He nods to Caitlin and says, "This is my good friend Doctor Caitlin Fairchild. These are my siblings Carrie and Jason."

Elektra Natchios has posed:
The flute is drained fully and then put aside, elegant fingertips accepting the glass of scotch. A faint chuckle is offered in return. "I suppose this only mean we both have a problem. But don't worry, I won't tell if you don't." she lifts the scotch and then takes on a sip. "Both, actually. Expanding my contacts, living the good life. What more could someone wish out of life, mmm?" some amusement registering upon her tone. "And what of you? Actually enjoying yourself or it but a fret?"

The call made by Jason to his other 'brothers' makes her attention go that way. She takes in the faces, a brow arching, some surprise showing. She waits until they are close, waiting for the introductions and then finally speaks.

"Hello, Caitlin." A smirk coming to expression. And apparently someone she knows. To Dick she inclines her head in a solemn manner.

Stephanie Brown has posed:
Stephanie turns to follow the gaze over to Jason and Carrie's siblings. "Ok, just go a little easy on Tim, alright? You guys already got him pretty good," she reminds Jason.

A glass of punch is obtained at the bar, Stephanie glancing about the room briefly but not spotting who she is looking for. She turns back as Jason calls over to the others. She doesn't have much to fear about the gossip columns, she'd probably be cropped out of any pictures or just left unnamed. But there is a sympathetic look in her eyes, knowing what Bruce's adopted kids go through.

Tim Drake has posed:
BLESSED ESCAPE THANKS JAY. Tim gives the reporter one of those smiles that absolutely is NOT, and is quick to join in Dick's wake over to the 'cool kid's table'. "Thanks, Jay. I guess you saw the lampreys swarming." For now, Page Six seems to be keeping a distance... with a phone out, pointing in their direction, taking pictures.

Wonderful.

Johnny Storm has posed:
Something that would stand out as Meggan takes Johnny's arm is that he's kind of warm to the touch, the perk of being the human torch is you're always quite comfortable no matter what you're doing or wearing, though sometimes that means that heat goes somewhere, in this case it's the area just around him.

He laughs softly and then starts making his way through the crowd, he'll be introducing Meggan to several of the wealthy people to meet here about the party, one of the nice things about being Johnny Storm, is that you can almost literally just go up to anyone and say hello, and they don't try to brush you off!

Bruce Wayne has posed:
Mayor March lets Alex digest the second part of his answer a few moments, or to take her notes as she will, before he concludes, "And I'm aware of the optics of this gathering. I grew up bouncing between virtually every low-rent neighborhood in Gotham, but when I broke my arm when I was twelve, the only place I could get treated was the Martha Wayne Memorial Clinic in Park Row. When I couldn't afford school supplies, the Arkham Endowment made sure I had what I needed. You're correct in that Bruce Wayne can't solve all the city's problems for us. Nor can the Batman. Nor can I. But Bruce Wayne isn't the only person in this room. Or Kate Kane, or anyone else. As I said, we had to build a foundation, and that includes a vast multitude of Gotham's citizens, rich, poor, and in-between pulling together to make the change we need. Now if your concern is towards gentrification of the Narrows, I'd note that "affordable" was the word that came before "housing." We're not trying to become the next Manhattan. We're trying to become a better Gotham. My intent is to get people housed and fed so they can feel secure in working towards being employed and prosperous. I have no illusions about the difficulty of the task before us, or the potential pitfalls. All I can promise though, is that I will do all that I can to make this project happen without falling into them."

He looks back to Selina a touch apologetically, then turns back to Alex, "Thank you for your excellent questions, Ms. Evans." And with that, he's moving along to a bit more of the Press.

Rose Wilson has posed:
The reporter gets a very narrow eye from Rose, but she doesn't say anything. Instead she just moves along towards Jason's table, offering towards Caitlin on the way, "Maybe." Is that an answer? Was Rose paying attention to the location of where Caitlin grew up? Probably not.

Once they reach their destination she moves to Jason's side, lowering her voice in the hopes of not getting overheard by the more upstanding Wayne kids. "Are we allowed to hit reporters at these things?"

Punchline has posed:
Of course, it's fundraiser speech and not a debate, so the amount of leeway any member of press is going to have to monopolize the Mayor's time is limited. Also she's /still/ not really a reporter! So while 'Alex' might have more to say on the topic, Punchline has done what she needed - or wanted, was told? Who knows - to do. "Thank you for sharing your time," she answers, all too politely.

She's also not the only one there. Other reporters crowd in on either side of her, echoing with their own questions. A few even piggy back on hers, or react to the Mayor's answers. The one certain thing is that press are like pirhannas, and every story is a feeding frenzy.

"Item /51?/ Mayor would you care to list-" "-comment on a recent escapee involved in the murder of-" "-Dent-" "-left the suspect in the hospital-" "-gentrification-" "-the Joker's latest attack-"

There's a lot of voices. Then again, most of the reporters are not here to talk crime or the uncomfortable topic of the mentally ill. Some are here for feel good stories or impressive front-page spreads reproducing that glorious holo-image. Soon, it turns back to more softball follow-up questions on the economic details of the plan, on the housing, the medical programs. It is a room full of the Mayor's richest and powerful allies, not an unruly peasant mob. In that chorus, the so-called blogger and whatever opportunistic muckrakers she has inspired are soon drowned out, and Alexis draws back, letting others take her place at the front of the pack.

"... what a joke," she muses, aloud, though only to herself, as she weaves back through the crowd.

Caitlin Fairchild has posed:
"Not a date-- I don't do dates," Caitlin tells the reporter, quickly. "I got my dress from a friend, I'm not drinking alcohol, and the Titans have no comment about any political activism happening in New York. Get out and vote, that's our recommendation. You should go talk to the mayoral candidate! I'm sure he's got a ton of great sound bytes."

Say what you will about Caitlin's social nerves, she certainl knows how to paste a smile on her face and *loom* over a pushy reporter. For a second there one might forget the awkward farm girl in a nice dress, and recollect one of the people who went toe-to-toe with Doomsday four years prior-- and survived.

She returns to the table and laughs at Dick again. "It's /Caitlin/," she emphasizes again, "if anyone calls me doctor I'm gonna--"

Her eyes lock with Elektra, and Caitlin goes very still. The sort of stillness that literally everyone at the table would recognize as a readiness for any imminent violence. Weight shifting slightly. Body relaxed into whiplash readiness.

Evidently, Caitlin and Elektra have met. "Elektra," Caitlin tells the woman, with a tone of frosty civility. "I didn't know you hung aronud Gotham. Here socially, I hope?"

There's no need for a hand signal with Richard; after eight years of training together, he'd definitely pick up on Caitlin putting herself subtly between A Threat and the others around her.

Selina Kyle has posed:
    Selina meets Lincoln's gaze with a wry look and some gentle golf claps. It was impressive! But it seems like Lincoln's going to be busy for a little while, and she hasn't even attacked the food table yet, so the next time his gaze passes over her, Selina offers a little finger wave and gravitates away for now.
    "Posh AND educational~" She muses to herself as she snatches a champagne glass from a passing waiter's tray, mingling her way through the crowd in search of someone else to bother.

Jason Todd has posed:
"Our secret," Jason agrees as he offers his glass to clink with Elektra. As for him being her. "Just proving to the gossip rags I'm still alive," he says before nodding Bruce's direction. "His idea."

Carrie's question gets Jason to take closer interest in Caitlin. "No clue, but definitely his type," Jason says with glance to Carrie.

Once the call goes out and his siblings start drifting over he glances to Steph, "No promises," he offers with a grin, though the grin is short lived, as the news hits his calling ot Dick and Tim actually saved them.

"Damn it," he says, with a chuckle. "Well, guess that's my good deed for the evening. Does everyone know everyone here?" he asks around to see what introductions are needed before extending a hand to Caitlin. "Good to meet you Caitlin," he greets, before he whispers back to Rose. "Allowed? Who knows, I'm planning to, it's one of my blank squares on rich bad boy bingo." As he finishes the real whispering to Rose, he stage-whispers, "When you ditch Tim, I'm at the third door on the east hall," he says before giving a thumbs up to Tim as he does it.

Tim Drake has posed:
Tim cuts Jason a half scowl at that stage-whisper, but refuses to otherwise let his older brother know it's riled him.

Okay, that's not entirely true. Tim actually steps slightly towards Rose and slides his arm around her waist (no longer just linking arms) in what might be somewhat possessive of a way if it weren't Tim-- if she even remotely twitches, tugs away, flinches or scowls he'll let go at once.

"Yeah, if you like sleeping among dust bunnies and crusty Playboy magazines," Tim snarks. Is that? A flush on Timmy's cheeks?

Dick Grayson has posed:
"Caitlin," Dick nods affirmation, "You earned that doctorate." He then looks to Rose, "It's frowned upon, to say the least." He is about to nod to Jason until Jason makes his comment to Rose, which Dick just has to facepalm. Then Tim talks and does. Not. Help. He takes a drink from his flute, finishing it and setting it aside for the waitstaff. "Hey, Steph!" Dick says seeing her and waves, "Caitlin, this is Stephanie Brown. Good friend of ours." Then he realizes what is going on with Elektra and Caitlin and he says politely, and quietly, "Is everything all right? No one will be dumb enough to try anything here. At least I hope?"

Rose Wilson has posed:
"You still have blank squares?" Color Rose shocked. And at the direction to Jason's room there is an absent look in that direction before Tim arrives with his rejoinder. She shakes her head a fraction, "I don't mind dust bunnies, but I'd find it hard to believe there is a speck of dust anywhere in this house."

Is it even appropriate to call this place a HOUSE? Rose does. She is not, under most normal circumstancees, the most reassuring of people in the world. Unless your version of reassurance is a promise that someone'll be hurt. But she puts in the best effort to be reassuring, and give Page Six plenty to talk about, when she leans over to give Tim a kiss on the cheek.

Elektra Natchios has posed:
"When am I ever not social, Caitlin?" Elektra replies to Caitlin. If she notes any kind of frostiness or hostility there is no shift on her own stance or bearing, simply continuing with her eyes on Caitlin for now, watching her. "And how about you? We always meet in the most unexpected places, don't we?"

She lifts her glass in the redhead's direction and takes another sip as her eyes then turn to Richard, "We simply hadn't met in a while. Was quite the surprise to meet again, specially at such a gala." she says in ways of explanation, no shift on her tone, the ambassador's daughter being nothing but prim and proper.

Meggan Puceanu has posed:
Reporters, reporters everywhere, and not a camera in sight. Meggan grimaces a little at the softball questions. "This is your last chance to cut your losses and run in finest fashion." Johnny might have an escape route through a cloud of Waynelings and varied friends near the bar. No such relief for a drink there. "Getting political noses out of joint is supposedly my stock in trade." Shoulders lifted into a line, she throws a careless kind of insouciance into the wind, nodding to Alexis in passing. The approach to Lincoln is nearly complete with the far more famous member of the Fantastic Four cutting a path through, and that's the best route she can possibly take in or out.

A sunny smile for him or his minders, be that Bruce Wayne or someone wiser than not.

Johnny Storm has posed:
"In for a penny, in for a pound." Johnny laughs at Meggan's comment, "And, you've decided to latch yourself onto my arm, I might as well do the gentlemanly thing and see things through with you hmmmn?" he says, "Anyway, I always liked living things interestingly, and I've got enough good will to bank on." He gives her a little wink as he walks himself up to the gathering around the mayor - not quite like he owns the place, but almost there, flashing little smiles, and waves to any who acknowledge his arrival.

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Carrie Kelley just glances between Tim and Jason and Rose and then looks to Dick with an eyebrow raising. She fixes her gaze toward Caitlin to offer her a genuine smile even in spite of her apparent tension. "Hey, I'm Carrie, tall dark and too-good-for-his-own-good's sister." She means Dick obviously. With that said she extends an arm to bump her fist against Jason's shoulder just a *tad* too hard. "No trying to shack up with Tim's date, even if you've already been there. And no punching reporters unless they do something like follow you off the property, then it's fair game."

Well. Just setting the ground rules.

Bruce Wayne has posed:
"Johnny! It's been a while." Bruce Wayne does indeed intercept the pair, not that he's fully aware that Meggan is part of the press corps, but Lincoln is indeed swamped enough that campaign surrogates and others are indeed having to play a bit of screening and interference. He extends a hand to the famed Human Torch, and grins, "I see we finally managed to drag you out to Gotham. Glad you could make it." Bruce's blue-gray eyes turn towards Meggan and he adds, "I don't believe I've had the pleasure, Ms....?"

Caitlin Fairchild has posed:
Dick's words cut through Caitlin's awareness; she relaxes more sincerely, shoulders unclenching. The redhead looks sidelong at her friend and nods once, part acknowledgement and part apology. "No, of course not," she tells him, and looks back to Elektra.

"I... wouldn't have called this, no," Caitlin tells Elektra, guardedly. Less concerned about a physical threat, she backs off again, and Elektra's smooth social mores give the exotic assassin more of the upper hand at the table. "I'm glad to see you're well. I guess I was just a little surprised to see you here."

Some people do social double-speak quite well; Caitlin is not among them.

Fortunately, any furthur rejoinder is cut short by Jason's wholly inappropriate banter with Tim and Rose. Caitlin's face expresses a subtle flash of distaste and she focuses back on the table at large.

"It's swell to meetcha, Carrie," Caitlin tells the next Wayne sibling. "I didn't realize the Wayne family was so large," Caitlin says to the crew. "Is it always such a zoo when these events go down?"

Jason Todd has posed:
Jason snorts, "Pfft, Penthouse or nothing," he says of the supposition his room was nothing but dust and Playboys, though he does shoot a look towards Rose as he nods in agreement. "And true, if Alfred was in ear shot, we'd need to be getting a feather duster surgically removed from Timmy's-" he catches that look from Caitlin and for once decides not to be a total ass for new people. "Behind."

A smirk then and a sip of scotch before he smiles at Carrie. "Fiiiiine," he says. "This evening's going to be no fun at all then."

Tim Drake has posed:
Tim relaxes a little bit, giving Rose a return light kiss on the cheek. He does look at Carrie with a raised eyebrow, though. "Turns out, that was something Jaybird here said to get a rise out of me. Not that it... worked, at all. Or that it matters." He gives Jason a tight smile. "Because it //didn't//." Selective memory of the night at the dumpling place and all. He glances to Caitlin. "Bruce likes to adopt strays," he jokes. "I would say it's because he had no plans for his own kids, but then little D showed up. But still. We're all better off for it. Even if we pick on each other a bit."

Rose Wilson has posed:
There's a look that is shot in Carrie's direction, a pale brow raising, but she doesn't say anything. Not. A. Word. Instead she just stares for a moment before she looks towards Caitlin, "Did I hear you say Titans?"

Nope. Caitlin's response to the reporter wasn't missed by Rose. And this is a better conversation then who she's shacking up with or not.

Dick Grayson has posed:
Dick nods to Caitlin and pinches the bridge of his nose as he is described by Carrie. He made one miscalculation retreating to where his siblings were, they are definitely not the most... polished of people. He looks over to Elektra, but when the topic shifts to the small army of Waynelings he snorts, "Yeah, there are a lot of us, but we do all right." Rose's question catches Dick off-guard, but he does not show a reaction. He certainly can not afford to risk revealing who he is right now, even though most of the table is aware.

Carrie Kelley has posed:
"Was it?" Carrie responds to Tim only to look apologetically toward Rose then, inclining her head at the other woman. "Sorry for assuming then. Given how little tact Jason has it's sometimes hard to tell when he's just joking." With that offered, she says no more on the topic at least. Best not to stick her foot further in her mouth. She was TRYING to keep the peace.

"I'm glad everyone could make it at least. I know these functions aren't any fun, but it's all the more tolerable with friendly company around."

Caitlin Fairchild has posed:
Elektra slips out, and Caitlin gives Rose a flummoxed look. As much as the redhead's accustomed to being celebrity-spotted, it's a bit of a stopper when someone doesn't quite put it all together.

It's not like Caitlin *blends*, to be fair. "Uh.... yeah." Her response to Rose isn't terribly urbane. "I know, I'm not wearing a leotard," she says, going for a joke again, and smiles reassuringly at Rose. "I don't normally get dressed up like this," she apologizes. "I'm always worried some reporter's going to try and pigeon-hole me for an official statement and I'm gonna say something stupid to them," she frets. "It's really not a big deal."

Meggan Puceanu has posed:
"Meggan Puceanu, Mr. Wayne." Meggan's introduction comes with a subtle thickening of her English accent, lending softer shades that don't identify as entirely public schooled Etonian, cut from the uppermost crust. Her hands clasped in front descend to rest against her stomach, right above the blackened line of the river turned to silver when light hits hammered threads or spilled ink.

When it comes down to the reintroductions between Bruce and Johnny, she can abide patiently, curbing any words behind that utterly fearless, unguarded smile that shines unbidden. "I had hoped to ask Mayor March a few questions regarding his environmental policies and addressing concerns of younger voters, but he's the man of the hour or the month. It shall have to wait." No disappointment there follows, plucked with a ready candor.

Jason Todd has posed:
"Yeah, I was just yanking Tim's chain there," Jason confirms to Carrie before adding to the chorus about what its like to live in the Wayne family. "Yeah, all sunshine and puppies," he adds with no small amount of sarcasm. "Decent digs at least," he gestures to the room.

"Titans huh? Those guys out in Met?" he asks, when the topic turns that way.

Tim Drake has posed:
The Titans question gets Tim's attention too, and he acts equally oblivious as Jason. "Well, Dick, you didn't tell us your friend was a superhero." And Dick totally isn't. Really. "That's kind of cool. Page Six really needs to stay on the other side of the room, then."

Johnny Storm has posed:
"Bruce!" Johnny says with a grin flashed at the billionaire, "I was almost more shocked that you'd come out of the woodworks to throw a party than I was that I'd have to skip the MET this year!" He says, gesturing towards Meggan, "Meet my friend Meggan here." He says with a smile as she introduces herself, "She's got quite the influential reach, I must say, a good person for the Mayor to get his message out to, if you ask me."

Dick Grayson has posed:
Dick gives Tim sigh, "I try to keep it quiet, no sense making it a bigger deal than it needs to be, as she has stated she prefers not to give statements." He tries to be supportive, at least. "Though, yeah, fortunately they are giving us all space at the moment." He shrugs, "It's an itty bitty world, but I wouldn't want to paint it."

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Carrie Kelley chuckles softly at that. "It's okay," she assures both Dick and Caitlin. "I know how it can be... I mean kind of. I'm dating an Avenger. He likes getting out but I know he prefers some quiet time as well instead of having to deal with the press all the time. You can hide out here all you need. If you can put up with the company at least," she adds taking a dig at pretty much all of them.

Bruce Wayne has posed:
"It's an absolute pleasure, Ms. Puceanu." Bruce inclines his head to Meggan, in the absence of an offered hand, turning his attention back towards Johnny, "Oh, a friend of yours, is she?" Bruce does file away the name, purely by reflex. "Well, I suspect if you're a bit patient, you'll get your chance. He seems to be headed this way." He glances back over his shoulder to confirm and grins a bit, "And I suspect he'll be even more surprised than I am to find you here, Johnny." And with a gracious smile and a nod, he adds, "If you'll excuse me? I think I need to make sure the gossip columnists don't meander back towards my kids again." And so he goes to throw himself into -that- meat grinder, already formulating the answers to the Selina Kyle questions that will inevitably come up, especially with her spending time on Lincoln's arm. There is a tiny bit of dark amusement to the knowledge that there are people that follow Gotham society pages that "ship" them.

Meanwhile, Lincoln March does indeed find his way before Johnny and Meggan, genuinely looking surprised for a few moments, before he smiles enthusiastically and extends a hand, "Mr. Storm, it's an honor. I had no idea you'd be here tonight. The World owes you and your family a whole host of debts it can't possibly hope to repay, but what brings you to our comparatively tiny corner of it?" He looks then to Meggan, the smile not dimming one iota, "And Miss Puceanu, I'm thrilled you made it here tonight. I'll admit I forced my staff to approve you for the press list. They think you're going to stump me. I figured it was only fair you get the chance. So..." He seems to steel himself a bit, "Fire away." Well...someone's done his homework.

Tim Drake has posed:
"True enough," Tim replies idly to Dick, finishing off his champagne flute and placing it on the bar. He grins at Carrie. "The company isn't //that// bad, except Jaybird." He stage whispers to Caitlin, "He just got home from 'finishing school'. You know what I mean." He winks at Jason with a smarmy look. Another slight squeeze to Rose, but since this time his hand is on her hip instead of her arm... well. He schools his face into an entirely innocent expression.

Rose Wilson has posed:
"You could start hitting them." If that is an option. Rose suggests it, because that solves problems with the press in her eyes, even if it is no solution at all. Someone passing too close with champagne catches her attention, and she liberates another glass of it to sip before she glances at Tim, "Give me a tour of the place?"

Jason Todd has posed:
"He's not wrong," Jason agrees of Tim's comments before downing his final scotch and putting down the glass.

"Anyhow if you excuse me, got other nights to liven up. Good seeing you all," he says as he takes his leave. Though on the way out he does pause by the page six people to whisper. "They're ready to see you now," then slips on out of the ballroom.

Tim Drake has posed:
Tim lifts an eyebrow at Rose. "A tour...?" It takes him a moment, but he is the smartest of the Bat children, so even with his comparative inexperience in some realms it doesn't take more than a moment. "Oh. Yes." He both brightens and flushes as he realizes. "A tour. Absolutely. The manor is huge, loads to see. We may be awhile. Uh, Dick, Carrie, Jaybird." He nods to Caitlin absently, totally distracted. "Nice to meet you, Caitlin." And... well, he's not far behind Jason heading towards the exit, arm still around Rose.

Meggan Puceanu has posed:
Offering a hand to be shaken is a rather American conceit and it's belatedly that Meggan recognizes this. The instant she recognizes it is plain, the spark in those widened green eyes, but neither is she stumbling over the potential difference in cultural expectations. Rather, she dips her head. "I'm sure you hear it all the time, but the pleasure is mine. Mr. Storm was kind enough to chart a course, for which I am grateful." She turns slightly to Johnny and adds, "Should I let you both catch up soon?" An offer opened without expectation of reciprocation or being anchored to her meandering course, charted as it is with a stunning intensity slipping away to a smile.

For a rare moment between the hand-off from Bruce Wayne to Lincoln March, the blonde shakes her head slightly. Not in wonder. More the subtle tell of someone plunged into the depths of the ocean and submerged deeper still.

Lincoln's arrival earns a tilt of her head, a smile. "I owe you my thanks, then, ayor March, for considering my attendance. This is quite a bit nicer than coming to a city council meeting. Certainly better dress code." The words flow easier, answering to the pressure. She just rises to the moment. "It happened I put out questions in advance on this to find out what Gothamites wished to ask you, and what concerns they have. Especially those under thirty, whose futures are most impacted by your proposed policies long-term. Would you prefer I lay it out all at once, or we have a quick chat about it?"

Bruce Wayne has posed:
Lincoln nods, "Well I hoped you'd come so I could get a chance at some outreach, so I suppose I can take the time for a brief interview. Thankfully Bruce has a room set aside for me to retreat to if I felt the need. I hope you don't mind if my campaign manager, Miss Candace Stevenson sits in with us?"

Johnny Storm has posed:
"It was great speaking with you Bruce, we'll catch up soon!" Johnny says with a laugh as the billionaire excuses himself, giving a nod of his head towards the man before his attention shifts to Meggan and he grins, "I don't know, you're far prettier than Bruce is, I think I might stick with you! I should say high to the Mayor anyway." He says.

"How could I miss the first party Bruce has thrown in years?" Johnny says, offering the obligitory handshake, "And no thanks needed, Mayor March." Johnny says, "We do it out of a sense of altruism, no debts are owed, we're grateful enough already, and the world has been kind enough to us in our business and scientific adventures." He says with a smile, quickly shifting his focus to Meggan and give her the focus and attention of Mr. March.

Bruce Wayne has posed:
With Lincoln off for an exclusive interview and Bruce tossing himself into the gossip columnist's crosshairs, the rest of the party continues well into the night. The seeds of Gotham's future may have been planted, but will they take root? An open question for now...but this is not a city with a surplus of hope, and a lot of dreams have been broken against it's dark spires, or twisted to nightmares unrecognizable from their original aspirations. It remains to be seen which way the wind will blow on this one.