video;

[cowled]

Well, this is... embarrassing, if I do say so myself.

[He laughs a little, just to prove how completely embarrassed he is. Look. Do you see his embarrassment? Because it's totally there.]

Here it is, almost literally the eve of this masquerade and I find myself without a date. I hope none of you gentlemen mind me cutting in on you when the time comes.

[His tone is a little at odds with his expression, which is patently apologetic. His voice, however, is steeped in savoir-faire. Because what playboy wouldn't be happy to go stag amidst a party of beautiful women, I mean really.]

And on that note, I would officially like to extend my gratitude to Favrielle nó Eglantine for making this event a possibility in the first place, and for sharing this aspect of her culture with us. She's been a rock of our community for some months now, and she deserves every ounce of recognition her genius affords her.



[encrypted; AGENT CAROLINA | hackable]

Carolina, would you be interested in coming with? As a bodyguard of sorts, a strictly professional basis.



[encrypted; OLIVIA DUNHAM | hackable]

I don't suppose you're feeling up to a dance or two? I cut a mean tango.



[encrypted; BAT!DICK | unhackable]

Keep an eye on the newcomers.

[It goes without saying that Bruce is suspicious of both Tim and Jason, oops.]



[encrypted; ROBIN!DICK | unhackable]

I need to speak with you.

Comments

video

[backwordscompatible]

I wouldn't ask if it wasn't relevant.

[Oh, gosh, somebody save her from the ego. No, actually, she had a vague idea of what he was talking about. Her father was world famous, which made it strange to think of people she knew not knowing him. Maybe not world-shattering, but enough to require an adjustment in her way of thinking.]

[He still had an ego, though.]

Imagine how strange it must be to hear that, in some universes, I apparently am one.

[She kinda liked it, honestly.]

video

[cowled]

[He opens his mouth. And closes it again.]

Hm. Well, when you put it like that...

video

[backwordscompatible]

[Hopefully, she hasn't lost him completely yet.]

Because that's exactly what's been happening to me.

See, there are people here who are from words really similar to mine, with certain differences. Such as me suddenly being older, or having grown up with a different group of friends.

video

[cowled]

That sounds... taxing. I'm not sure I'd like that very much.

video

[backwordscompatible]

Trust me. We don't really like it either.

[The thought of there being other hers? Not...terrible. It was the constant comparisons that were grading on her. Knowing that, each time one of them looked at her, they would most likely be judging her for something "she" had done. Or what kind of person "she" might be.]

video

[cowled]

Well, for what it's worth I've met -- your, ah, counterpart approximately five times in the past ten years, most of which were at a distance. I certainly won't be making untoward comparisons.

video

[backwordscompatible]

[See that smile, Bruce? That's the smile of a very grateful 14-year-old.]

I appreciate it.

And tell you what: I promise to do the same.

[Pending the possibility of remembering him at some Gala or Fundraiser her father had brought her too as a child...Zatanna was pretty sure she had never actually met Bruce Wayne, anyway. So it would be even easier for her.]

video

[cowled]

[He laughs.]

Kind of you. I hear my reputation has been known to precede me.

video

[backwordscompatible]

What reputation?

[Keeping her promise already!]

video

[cowled]

[He likes you already, Zatanna.]

Atta girl.

Re: video

[backwordscompatible]

[Maybe that's why she has a smug sense of satisfaction right now.]

Anyways, good luck with tomorrow.

If you don't find a date...maybe we could share a dance? [And even if you do]

video

[cowled]

I'd like that.

[A faint wave.]

Until tomorrow.

video

[backwordscompatible]

[She waves back as an end to the conversation.]