open-ish.

[batsymbol]

Who: Bruce Wayne/Batman batsymbol and others
What: a halloween-themed housewarming
When: end of october
Where: primarily central
Content Warnings: TBD but let's just say Bruce being Bruce is always likely

It's Friday October 27th when this housewarming shindig happens at the townhouse in Central he's recently purchased for himself and with it being so close to Halloween, he decides to decorate it a little. Or maybe a lot. He's still trying to get the hang of this whole Bruce Wayne thing. Either way, the lower floor of the five-story townhouse is decorated for the spooky season and the one floor he'd prefer people to stick to since he's not the only one who lives here. There's food and refreshments available with something hopefully for everyone and if you're in the mood for something a little more spooky for a drink, there's this little guy lined up along one of the tables to be enjoyed, the flavor being a tart pomegranate with a touch of sweetness to it. Yes, it can also be alcoholic and yes, he has someone stationed there to ensure those of age to drink are the ones taking the alcoholic version of that. On your way in or out, don't forget to say hi to the concierge for the night and feel free to take your complimentary pumpkin bucket filled with candy he has for guests. Don't worry about checking the candy for trackers. It's not like he would ever do such a thing. 😇 Happy Housewarming Halloween. ooc notes: just a stupid little housewarming mingle thrown together where bruce makes an attempt to Do Something for his kiddos and friends he has here. Diana also lives within the townhouse and so friends of hers are welcome to stop by as well if she'd invite them. whoever the kiddos want to bring along with them are also welcome to stop by but please stick to the first floor where the shindig is or else bruce is going to be Disappointed aka i'm still figuring out the rest of the floors.

Comments

[batsymbol]

( bruce being an only child, he can't really relate to having siblings. though he's wondered sometimes if it might have made things easier if he had any after the murder of his parents. )

You must miss them.

[avatarfortruth]

I do. But I was rarely with them.

[ She thinks of Cassie's fury, the pain and betrayal in her voice and words and eyes and winces. ]

Not as much as I... should have been, perhaps.

[batsymbol]

( a moment to let his gaze linger there on the wine held between his legs, he looks over to her slowly, expression soft as often his blue eyes are when they're on her. )

Family can be complicated sometimes.

[avatarfortruth]

Yes.

[ She watches him back, feeling the softness of that glance like a touch. ]

I met a boy tonight. He'd known the other me was she was here. I think she was like a mother to him.

[batsymbol]

( a slight huff through his nose, he slowly licks over his lips as he looks back down to his glass, a couple strands of hair falling in front of his face as he does. )

Yeah, it's... a little weird, isn't it?

( absolutely speaking from experience here. )

[avatarfortruth]

Mm. I don't know if I can be that for him. I don't know him, not yet.

[ She looks into her wine, then back out at the moon. ]

But the look on his face when he saw me broke my heart.

[batsymbol]

( a glance over to her again. )

Because he looked to you with recognition while you didn't know him?

[avatarfortruth]

Because he was so happy to see me. And then had to remind himself I wasn't her.

[ She's never really considered herself all that maternal, much as she adores children, but she has rarely had the chance. ]

[batsymbol]

Yeah.

( he knows the feeling. )

But you can be you.

[avatarfortruth]

I can be no one else, so I suppose being me will have to be enough.

[ She reaches out, a gentle hand, and tucks some of his falling strands of hair back. ]

I hope the children will soon recognize the same is true of you.

[batsymbol]

( faintly, a smile comes to his lips at her touch. )

Think they still have their moments, but. It's not their fault.

( jason, the older one, has been better, though, and they've shared a moment or two of vulnerability between them... of bruce being the one to offer support and a parental touch to ease him. )

[avatarfortruth]

They're getting there. Be patient with them.

[ She allows herself another stroke over his hair, then pulls her hand back and sips at her wine. ]

Did you enjoy having them over?

[batsymbol]

( swirling his own wine around in his glass a little, he looks down to it. )

Didn't hate it.

( a sip, he licks over his lips, sigh leaving him as he leans back against the couch then, stretching a leg out in front of him there on the floor as he does. )

Did you enjoy it?

[avatarfortruth]

Yes. It was pleasing to see so many of my friends enjoying each others' company.

[ She shifts a little closer, her knees nudging the side of his leg. ]

But I admit I like this just as much. Talking here with you.

[batsymbol]

( a puff of soft laughter leaving him, he slowly brings his glass up to his lips and takes another sip. )

This is how you like to spend your evenings?

( a glance over to her, head laying back against the headrest of the couch. )

Glass of wine and me for company on the couch?

[avatarfortruth]

Is that such a strange thought?

[ Her eyes crinkle with her smile as she leans her head on her hand, watching him. The lazy line of him, lounging there on the couch in this apartment he'd procured for her, because Bruce has always cared more than he ever lets anyone know. ]

[batsymbol]

( another sip of his wine, he does so while looking at her, licking his lips after. )

I feel like if I say yes to that, you'll claim I'm calling you strange.

[avatarfortruth]

Perhaps I am a bit strange, by the standards of Man's World and Themyscira both.

[ She meets his glance with her own warm and fond. ]

Because I do still enjoy this.

[batsymbol]

( taking a moment to finish off his wine, he rests the empty glass there on his knee, stem held between his fingers. )

Well. I'm sure some people would think you're strange for enjoying my company.

[avatarfortruth]

Undoubtedly.

[ Wry, as she recalls Kyle's uncertainty and Jason's surprise. She nods to his glass. ]

Another?

[batsymbol]

Maybe one more.

( sitting up, he leans forward to set the glass down on the coffee table and goes about loosening up his tie, a button or two undone there at the collar. fingers running down the nape of his neck, he hangs his head for a moment, hair falling in front of his face before he lifts his head up, pushing back that fallen hair while staring out at the night sky through the windows. )

[avatarfortruth]

Alright.

[ She uncurls from her seat on the couch and gets up to retrieve the bottle from the kitchen nearby. Bringing it back, she pours another measure into his glass, then her own.

It's good to see him relaxing a little. Unbuttoning his collar. Rumpling his hair. ]

As city views go, this one isn't bad at all, is it.

[batsymbol]

( a nod of thanks as she fills his glass, he leans forward to pluck it from the table, a gentle swirl of the wine around before he brings it to his lips and, watching her, pauses. )

As good as Vegas was?

[avatarfortruth]

Different. But still nice.

[ Vegas had been a whirlwind of enjoyment, from falling asleep tangled in each other to the lazy breakfast in bed and everything afterwards. The champagne-flavored memories are sweet indeed. ]

But the draw of Vegas for me was not the view of the city.

[batsymbol]

( taking a sip now, again, there's the faint sound of amusement that can just barely be heard. )

No?