Graviora Manent [Bruce]

[Deleted]

One does not turn down an invitation to Wayne Manor. At least, not the first time you get one and especially when the place isn't known to throw parties. But, then again, she's heard a lot of rumors about Gotham's most eligible bachelor since his return from... wherever it was that he was. Somewhere in Asia, if the rumors are accurate. Yes, this is the sort of party that one attends based on sheer curiosity, if nothing else. And it becomes quickly apparent to Pamela that everyone invited had the same thought and that everyone has been invited.

As she pulls up in her red convertible, Pamela uses her rear view mirror to ensure that there isn't a hair out of place; her new pheromones may render looking her best redundant at close range, but they're useless if she doesn't lure them in first. But she, as always, looks perfect. The red dress she's wearing seems to be held in place by faith alone and yet seems just tasteful enough to not offend the older women at the party. (You never want to offend the older women at parties - quickest way to lose your reputation entirely!) But the real enhancement to her appearance is the large, white orchid neatly tucked into her hair - a hybrid of her own design, of course.

When she enters the mansion, she naturally does a quick glance around at the crowd for the party's host but he's nowhere to be seen. But that's to be expected - being greeted at the door is generally a sign that the host is out to make friends or genuinely cares about his guests. Someone like Mr. Wayne, on the other hand, would be throwing this party simply to impress people. Therefore he's either hidden by a knot in the crowd or he'll arrive fashionably late to his own party.

Well, no matter, it's not like she came here just to satisfy her curiosity about him. No, she came so that she could act polite to people she despises while attracting some attention from their sons - probably the purpose for any of the single young socialites attending the party. Of course, she's better at it than the vast majority. Spotting someone that she knows, she uses a quick exchange of pleasantries with them to merge easily into the crowd. Nobody works a crowd like Pamela Isley.

[bruce]

(OOC: I'll modify this if it doesn't agree with you.)

MYSTERIOUS 'BAT-MAN' BRINGS FALCONE TO JUSTICE

Bruce Wayne sits in his study, reading the headline in the Gotham Gazette for the fourth time. He cannot help but feel a small sense of pride. Tonight, he had other things on his mind. Agreeing to host a fundraiser for Gotham's 222nd anniversary celebration.

Bruce desperately wanted to be out in the field, generating leads. Falcone was out but it left a perfect opportunity for Rupert Thorpe to start taking back the control that was stolen by him from Falcone.

This party could have ran smoothly without him; however he agreed to Alfred not to leave him alone with the rest of Gotham's socialites.

The door opened and Alfred appeared.

"If you're going to sit in here all night, then I'm going to spill the beans to everyone." He threatened. "You're not looking at the big picture, are you? This isn't just about Gotham, it's also about you. People haven't seen you in over twelve years and you need to reintroduce yourself."

"Yeah, I know." Bruce said. "How's it looking down there?"

Alfred cleared his throat.

"That reporter...Victoria Vale is requesting an audience. Detective Gordon is here on behalf of the GCPD, Harvey Dent is doing his best to be entertaining, and the Isley woman-"

"-Pamela?" Bruce interrupted, alittle too quickly.

"Yes sir. She's just arrived also." Alfred looked at his watch. "Honestly Mr. Wayne, you're bordering on 'fashionably late', quit moping about in here and entertain your guests. Gotham City can do without The Batman for at least one night."

Alfred exited, shutting the door behind him.

Bruce stood, walking towards a mirror, straightening out his black tie and coat. Brushing his hair to the left with his fingers. He remembered reading in the paper about Pamela's parents, a horrible accident. If he got the chance to meet with her tonight he'd express his sympathies towards her.

Exiting the study, Bruce walked to the main hall. As soon as he was visible, people started to applaud.

Bruce raised his hands to get the chance to speak, as soon as the applause died down, he cleared his throat and addressed his guests.

"Hello and welcome to Wayne Manor." He began. "It's great to see you all here and I look forward to catching up. However let take some time to put some rumors to rest: One...I did not sink my own yacht, and two...I would never touch Lady Gaga with a ten foot pole."

Bruce knew it was a bad joke, but the audience didn't seem to care.

"Please donate as much as you can, and have an enjoyable evening." Bruce finished up. Walking down the staircase, shaking various hands when he was on the ground floor.

[Deleted]

When she hears a round of applause starting, Pamela follows everyone's gaze to the source: ah, the party's host has decided to make an appearance. With such a long gap in time between the last really credible rumors of the man, she hasn't the slightest idea what to expect from him. A handsome man, as it turns out, but then again money tends to act very much like her pheromones in inflating one's judgment of appearance.

She joins the rest of the crowd in chuckling politely at the joke, though she only gives it the minimum required to make it appear that she'd been duly amused. But deeply hidden on the inside, she is hardly impressed: no son of capitalists deserves her respect, no matter how much money he has. Not that she'd ever let that show. But she fakes respect all the time already; he's just one more.

As it happens, she's not far from the staircase as he makes his way down, but after he finishes his grand entrance she returns to what she was doing before: standing among a few others as one of the state senators finishes telling what is supposed to be a witty anecdote, feigning interest in it. Though she naturally wants to meet the infamous Mr. Wayne in spite of her instant internal dislike of him, she's not about to throw herself at him at the first available opportunity. That lacks class. And class is something she pretends to have a lot of.

Instead the best strategy for meeting him is to get in a conversation with someone important enough that he'll be sure to interrupt it to greet them. Hence why she remains exactly where she is, listening to the senator go on and on about nothing interesting. It wouldn't occur to her that Mr. Wayne would pay any particular attention to her, given how her parents were never really into rubbing elbows with the rich and famous much and how both of them have been out of that scene until more recently, so she figures that he wouldn't even know exactly who she is.

[bruce]

"So Bruce?" Asks Mr. Du Pont. "Where have you been exactly?

Bruce hesitates, thinking up the right answer.

"Would you believe me if I simply said globetrotting?" He asks.

"Just got tired of Gotham, haven't you?"

"What can I say? I had to get out sometime."

"Then why did you come back?" Harvey Dent asks, shaking hands with Bruce.

"I just couldn't stay away. You've been a busy man Mr. Dent."

"Call me Harvey, Please."

Bruce smiles. "Fine. There's talk going around that you might be next in line for D.A."

"Dent will clean up this town. " Said Mrs. Du Pont.

Harvey smiled at Mr. Du Pont's wife. "Bruce, have you met newly made Detective Gordon?" Harvey motions for Gordon to join them.

"Can't say I have." Bruce answers. As Detective Gordon arrives to join the group, Bruce shakes another hand.

"Greetings Mr. Wayne. " Gordon said. "Thank you for hosting."

"Don't mention it. I read about your big bust in the newspaper. Congratulations."

"It was a team effort." Gordon explains.

"Any truth about there being a bat-man?" Dent asks.

"Don't believe everything you read in the papers Harvey." Gordon answers. "All we really know is that someone is taking the law into their own hands, and it's up to the police to stop crime, not...whatever is really doing this."

"That's not a denial." Bruce observes.

"I can say in all honesty the police know nothing about a bat-figure. It's probably started by the criminals themselves to keep competition away."

Bruce couldn't help feeling that he was being watched. Coming to his senses and realizing that almost everyone in the room would be watching him, even possibly wanting to talk with him.

'Maybe this wouldn't be so bad.' he thinks to himself as he listens in on Gordon's and Dent's conversation.

[Deleted]

Only half-listening to the conversation that she's supposedly paying attention to, Pamela doesn't particularly note that Mr. Wayne has started up a conversation nearby until a part of it abruptly catches her attention.

...Dent, Harvey Dent...

Though she's careful to not let her lack of attention show to the senator, it has now drifted to follow the conversation that the other group are having - though in truth it's actually only mildly more interesting to Pamela than the one in front of her. Not one to take the time to pay that much attention to the news, she's only heard the bare minimum and didn't pay any particular attention to what she did hear. But, hearing the ones who would know confirming the existence, if not the intent, of a bat-man, Pamela makes a mental note to pay more attention - though purely out of random curiosity. What does she care if some person is beating up criminals? That has nothing to do with her.

If Mr. Wayne felt like he was being watched, it certainly isn't Pamela's fault. No, if he were to happen to glance in her direction, he'd see her looking at Harvey Dent out of the corner of her eye. And her expression is clearly thoughtful, though difficult to read otherwise.

A moment later, she glances past him, before turning back to the people she's with and politely excusing herself. Time for a better plan. As if not really paying attention to the group that Mr. Wayne is talking to, she walks past them and instead strikes up a conversation with a familiar face. "Veronica, how are you?" she asks the other socialite. Of course, it wasn't her purpose to strike up a conversation with her, but to incidentally walk within arm's reach of Harvey Dent behind his back. Pheromones make turning someone's head without him realizing that you did on purpose so much easier - the walk-by ought to give him the sense that he's failing to pay attention to someone beautiful nearby. Of course, the problem with the pheromones is that she can't turn them off so it's likely that a certain billionaire also got caught as well when she passed. But then, she doesn't mind accidentally getting his attention too...

[bruce]

Harvey stopped in mid conversation with Gordon and Bruce. His gaze turning towards a beautiful redheaded woman walking past him. The Du Pont's had joined another group, leaving the three men standing there talking about current events.

Harvey turned back to Bruce and Det. Gordon.

"I'm sorry, what was I talking about?"

"The difficulties of being a prosecutor in a city like this." Gordon informed him.

"Oh! Right. I'm sure you can relate detective, you catch them only to have them sprung a few minutes later by mob connections."

"The whole outfit is corrupt." Gordon informed Bruce. "Dirty up to their necks. Commissioner Loeb is just numb from the entire situation."

"I knew Gotham politics were questionable, but never believed it was that bad." Bruce lied. "Then again I suppose there's corruption in every city."

Harvey began to drift from the conversation again. He felt as if he were being lured by some unknown presence. There seemed to be something fragrant, something pleasant in the air and he felt driven to find the source.

"Well, if you two will excuse me." Harvey said. "There's other people I should rub elbows with."

"Uh, I guess us as well." Gordon said to Bruce. "Thank you for the invite Mr. Wayne."

"Please detective, call me Bruce."

"Okay, hope to see you again Bruce." Gordon drifted among the throng of people. Taking a brief look around, things were seemingly going well. However Bruce was beginning to feel slightly strange as well. There seemed to be...something...in the air?

'Obviously someone's perfume.' Bruce reasoned to himself. 'Perhaps a new version of Gotham Lady?' He silently joked.

Walking into the Kitchen, and avoiding the staff, Bruce went to the sink, grabbing a glass along the way; filled it with water. Drinking it slowly, then sat on a wooden stool at a nearby counter.

Alfred appeared a few moments after.

"Everything alright Master Bruce?"

Bruce closed his eyes and rubbed his temples.

"I think so." He said. "I just needed to sit down for a bit, that all."

"Very well sir." Alfred nodded, grabbing a few bottles of wine, then headed out of the kitchen.

"That's a strong perfume." Bruce said to himself. Drinking the rest of the water and rejoining his guests.

[Deleted]

Even as she talks to Veronica, Pamela doesn't have to look in order to know that Mr. Dent's attention has been grabbed. She just has to wait for him to finish the conversation he's in.

The range between making her pheromones too weak or too strong is very fine: too weak, and she doesn't get the attention she feels that she deserves. Too strong and and there's nasty side effects - the men lose the good sense to not flirt with her in front of their wives, for example, or those with stronger senses of themselves start to notice just how distracted they are by her. It's better to keep it at a happy medium. That's plenty effective anyway.

By the time Mr. Wayne returns to the party, Veronica has moved on and has been replaced by Harvey Dent. And though the two of them can't have been talking for very long, by the looks of it they're already very deeply into their conversation. But it only lasts for a few more moments before Pamela talks him into moving on; in this sort of setting, the goal is to establish enough of a contact that the man will call her. And Mr. Dent will be calling her. And if she lets a one-on-one conversation with a bachelor in such a public setting for too long, the gossip will start.

The two go their separate ways and Pamela, left alone for a moment, steals a drink from the tray of a passing waiter. Just a little refreshment and she can go back to working the crowd again. One of the little annoyances of her condition is that she's immune to alcohol, even though she'd really like something to take the edge off in situations like this. Perhaps she should experiment in her lab and figure out a chemical that would have the same effect on her.

[bruce]

Bruce couldn't describe what he was feeling. It wasn't exactly unpleasant, it just felt somewhat odd that he should be feeling any kind of elation at all. This was just a typical gathering of people, coming together for a good cause.

Maybe it was just the feeling of having Wayne Manor open to the public after such a long time? After all, his parents would host events like this four/five times a month. Hosting an event at Wayne Manor was a tradition of sorts, why bother breaking it?

Bruce got into a conversation with one wealthy couple, newly arrived to Gotham from California, as usual Bruce received an invitation to go into a possible business venture. Bruce replied that he'd think it over and get back to them. Knowing at the back of his mind that Bruce would perform a full background check to make sure the couple were clean.

Continuing to mingle, Bruce drifted person to person, group to group when his eyes caught a glimpse a a beautiful redheaded woman talking with Harvey Dent. He took a glass of champagne from a waiter's tray and curtly observed her. Her looks were striking, possessing a classical beauty with a modern edge. Her gown was just as striking as her features, she fitted the dress perfectly.

Bruce was certain that he had never seen her before, but definitely wanted to know more about her. Waiting for his chance, Bruce hung back towards a nearby wall and waited. In a few moments she and Harvey departed and Bruce saw his chance.

Without wasting time he boldly walked towards her.

"Hello, My name's Bruce...Bruce Wayne." He greeted. "Having a good evening?"

[Deleted]

Turning slightly to face whoever is talking to her, Pamela smiles when she sees Bruce Wayne. Not because she's surprised that he happened to find her - she thought that she'd caught him too - but because he, the man who needs no introduction, introduced himself. A definite sign of muddled thoughts, surely. But when men think too clearly they have a tendency to think of things other than herself, so she's hardly bothered by it.

Reminding herself to play this extra carefully since they're doubtlessly being watched by many eyes - many of them likely other socialites and quite jealous at the moment. "Pleased to meet you, Mr. Wayne. I'm Pamela Isley," she says politely as she offers her hand after shifting her glass of champagne to the other, "And yes, I'm having a lovely evening. You have a beautiful home, here." So many lies - the only truth to any of that is her name. But then, she's always been good at lying and has had plenty of opportunity for further practice of the skill recently.

"So if you haven't been sinking yachts, what have you been doing with yourself?" she asks with falsified curiosity as she wonders to herself what she should do with him now that she has his attention. She doesn't know nearly enough about what he's been up to since his return to Gotham to answer that question. Still, he's a billionaire, so surely there's some use for him. Infatuated men can come in very handy at times.

[bruce]

Traveling the world." He explained. "Backpacking around Europe and Asia mostly. It wasn't a direct lie. But Bruce wouldn't dare to be so direct on a first meeting.

"And it wasn't really fun and games. I went to universities, learned about numerous cultures, made an plethora of good friends. Then I decided to return home to Gotham.

Which in part was true. Bruce wouldn't want to even remember what took place in Japan, even if he had a feeling that sometime in his future the past events may come back to revisit him. If they ever did he was ready to...what exactly? Face them?

Bruce cleared his head.

"How long have you been in Gotham? He wondered.

[Deleted]

Pamela sips her champagne as she listens attentively though she's far less interested than she appears. Still, she is a bit curious about that answer. After all, the last time anyone saw Mr. Wayne she was still in high school, and there was no end to the rumors (all of them pure speculation) as to exactly what had become of the man.

And the answer he gives actually prompts a few thoughts she says out loud, "Sounds fascinating. I've actually considered going out and seeing the world myself." Which isn't a lie - but then again Pamela has been so on the fence trying to figure out what she wants to do with herself now that she's probably considered most possibilities. And leaving Gotham either temporarily or permanently was on that list; a part of her would just like to leave the whole rotten city behind.

But then, there's another part of her that feels the need to actually do something about it. She's gotten very good at getting what she wants recently, after all, and she'd rather see what's problematic with Gotham fixed rather than call it a lost cause - she considers this to be her city. The only question on her mind would be how to go about it...

She interrupts that line of thought to answer his question, "Since I was young - I live and grew up not far from here." Not that she thinks it's odd that he doesn't know that. She was excessively shy and withdrawn until just recently, including during the years before Mr. Wayne disappeared, and nobody really paid her any attention. Some people knew of her parents, a few of those actually knew them, and many of those knew they had a daughter, but only a few actually met her. Mostly because she never wanted to go to things like this even when she was old enough to. Times change - especially when it comes to her life over the past several months.

[bruce]

"Oh, also; My condolences regarding what happened with your parents." Bruce interjects, all sincerity in his voice as well as a sympathetic look.

Bruce wondered if it was bad form and he didn't want to bring up anything bad, mostly because it was recent. "If you ever want someone to talk with, a shoulder to cry or to lean on, I'll be around."

Bruce hoped that he hadn't soured her mood. He had an inkling on how she must have been feeling and he was serious about being supportive. For some unknown reason he wanted to comfort her, or at least let her know that she wasn't alone in what she was feeling.

It was time for a change of pace. "If you ever get the chance to get to Europe, I would definitely recommend Portugal. It's quite lovely this time of year." He Smiled. "Or the amazon in Brazil, which sports some lovely plant life all year around."

[Deleted]

At the mention of her parents, Pamela becomes very quiet and her eyes turn to look at the drink in her hands as she nods to the condolences. Feigning misery for the first few days afterward was so irritating; now that the whole thing is a bit further in the past and she can get away with simply looking sad at the reminder it's a lot easier.

But when he offers himself as someone to talk to her eyes lift and her apparent sadness turns into a small smile. "Thank you, Mr. Wayne," she replies, seeming to be comforted by the idea of someone else knowing her situation. But either the man is just as fake as she is, or his parents weren't the same inattentive and selfish people hers were; it was a relief to get them out of her way and now she wonders why she didn't take care of that problem sooner. But she just may take him up on that offer - it would serve as a good pretense for contacting him again if she wants to.

When he shifts subjects, her thoughts seem to turn outward again as she becomes more attentive, as if she's eager to think about anything else. And as it happens, the subject is the perfect choice. Her smile broadens as she says, "The Amazon? I actually wrote my dissertation on the benefits to medicine and other fields of study that can be found in a certain part of it - I'm a botanist." Which probably brings more significance to the large white orchid she wears in her hair.

[bruce]

"Interesting." Bruce replies. "I once read a dissertation written by a doctor who was on the verge of curing cancer. She came very close except for one vital flaw. She extracted a rare white flower that looked similar to a lotus with a blue hue lining it's edges. Unfortunately, due to deforestation, the flower is extremely hard to find."

Relating the story to Miss Isley, Bruce reminded himself on tomorrow's meeting with Gotham University's sciences department.

"Luckily, the Brazilian government, along with ours, have been ceasing the cutting down of the rainforest, hopefully reforestation efforts will be advancing sooner than later."

There was a loud cheering of people, Bruce quickly looks over to see a small group celebrating over at a poker table. Perhaps Alfred was right? Maybe Gotham could do without The Batman for one evening.

Bruce returned his attention towards Pamela.

"What is your area of expertise?" Bruce wonders.

[Deleted]

His words about the flower cause Pamela's grip on her glass to increase to the point where she risks breaking it. Not because she's familiar with that particular flower, but because she knows that the same thing is happening all over the place. How many precious, irreplaceable plants will die before humanity regains their senses? If they had any in the first place? Still, she quickly calms herself, knowing that now is not the time and place for being angry about it. Though a part of her is glad that an industrialist like Mr. Wayne seems to actually be aware that may be a problem.

Instead she turns her attention to what he asks, "Plant hybridization and toxicology. I studied under Dr. Woodrue at Gotham University." Who, despite his attack on her several months ago and his disappearance, still manages to maintain his reputation as being the expert in his field even though his sanity is now being questioned just like it always should have been. A part of her wants to surpass his level of expertise just out of spite. Damn him!

"Now I work for Chez Gerard, developing new scents for their perfume line," she adds, all too eager to shift the conversation away from her education.