Bruce stared up at the large towering dragon sculpture in flight, lost in thought. He supposed he had Damian to thank for it really. Because of his youngest child's interest in the Arts, it's got him to stop, think, and even appreciate things more than he had to before. It was quite astounding. It all was really. Bruce had eaten a few of the cakes since his arrival. He never really liked to eat too much, not wanting to risk getting sick. However, he did find it a bit hard not to just grab another whenever he found himself finished with whatever he managed to snag from the tables. If it wasn't for the fact that Bruce knew Ms. Samson had hired an outside business for catering, he would have almost been worried. Ms. Samson has never done anything to warrant any true suspicion just yet but she was very greedy and driven. She was willing to do more underhanded tactics to get what she wants, even if she hasn't done anything outright illegal as of yet. Still...
Bruce grabbed a small truffle cake, picking the truffle from the top and plopping it in his mouth without even thinking, as he just continued to stare up at the large mystifying creature on display. Each pastry and cake was glimmering in golds, silvers, and colors as if gems and coins littered about the glimmering nest of the glorious dragon. As if the deserts were its horde. Bruce tilted his head noticing the shimmering paint of the dragon's scales. Whoever made this put a lot of effort into it. There was a great deal of attention to the details. Bruce couldn't help but wonder who did it. It wasn't the first time he'd seen a sculpture like this. Though normally gala's and events tended to have ice sculptures as their attention piece. These were fully painted masterpieces but Bruce could never figure out what they were even made out of.
"Beautiful isn't it?" Bruce's eyes darted over to see the young lady beside him, a pink blush that matched her pink sundress. "Mom had it commissioned for today's event. She wanted something that could signify her fiercely protective nature of that which is hers. I think the artist did an amazing job."
"It's beautiful." The woman laughed softly giving Bruce a light look.
"It's completely edible." Bruce's eyes shot wide as the woman just nodded. "Mr. Reade of Haven's Catering made it to the centerpiece of all the deserts. Each and every little thing on this table, minus the dishes, of course, are entirely edible." The woman plucked a small ruby-looking gem from the table before biting into it with a bright grin. It crumbled apart easily like a candy-coated cookie. "It looks like a work of art, but it's made of chocolate and sugar."
"Mr. Reade, you said?" Bruce just kept staring at the dragon lost in thought.
"Jasper Reade, the proprietor of The Haven in Park Row, as well as the founder of all of the Alley Haven Outreach Programs. He's this big up-and-comer my mothers hoping to sweet talk into joining the company." The way her voice sounded amused made Bruce quirk a brow at her. She just rolled her eyes with a shrug. "Mr. Reade is Park Row's most impactful supporter. The likelihood he would sign over or give up on any of his projects is none existent. He's young, which is what drew Mother's attention in the first place, but he's fierce and loyal. He won't leave the Ally without good reason."
"Why is she so interested-..."
"Mr. Wayne, everything here at this party has been either made or brought in by Haven's Catering. The whole event has been planned out with the help of Mr. Reade. Those cakes you've been eating... they're all made by hand by him. Rumor has it that Mr. Reade does EVERYTHING himself. Mother's dying for some young blood full of pure potential." The woman stopped for a bit, just looking Bruce up and down before smiling wider and holding her hand out. Bruce frowned but took it anyway making the other laugh. "The name's Thaila Samson. The eldest daughter of Mayalane Samson... the woman of honor to today's precious event."
"You don't sound pleased." Thaila laughed with an angry look in her eyes, grabbing the closest drink she could before downing it all.
"Oh, no. I just love hearing about how my mother wants to steal Mr. Reade away and mold him into a possible heir to the Samson line. Despite the fact that I've been training to run the company since I was in diapers." Thalia sighed running her hand through her hair to release the tension. "In all honesty, Mr. Wayne. I don't think Mother will succeed much regarding Mr. Reade. That being said, he is a master at his craft and the more people know about him, the farther his reach will be. He's trying to help the people of Park Row, just as you try to help Gotham, yourself."
"Maybe I should snatch him before your mother does?" Bruce was kidding, of course, just trying to play the part. Even still he couldn't help but wonder. If what Thaila said was true, the ability and resources to not only cater but plan out an event of this scale were immense. Thaila just smiled, patting him softly on the shoulder as she started to walk away.
"Maybe you should, Mr. Wayne." She purred softly passing her empty champagne glass over to him with a chuckle. "Maybe you should."
"Jasper Reade, hmm?" Bruce let the information run through his mind as he finally turned away from the dragon to look out into the crowd. "I'll have to look into him."
"Papa!" Jason whipped around without the slightest thought, dropping all the boxes in his hands, in favor of catching the dark blur that suddenly sprung out at him from the shadows. Jason's eyes lit up as the little girl hugged him tightly with a giggle. "Papa, you're back!"
"I am." Jason chuckled as he brushed back her long ombre blue-green hair. It had been a spur-of-the-moment thing. A decision full of impulse and spontaneity, but it was hers and it helped her to feel better, so Jason didn't care. He gently let the girl down watching as she spun around him watching as everyone brought everything in. "Robyn...
"Yes, Papa?" Jason shook his head with a fond smile, messing with her hair before nudging her off towards the back.
"Why don't you go help Mads put everything away? Ok, Little Wing." Robyn beamed, nodding quickly, before racing off to find Mads.
"She is a fiery one isn't she, your daughter." Jason's smile only grew as he looked back to see two of his employees just laughing away. "Always manages to brighten the room."
"She does have that way about her, doesn't she?" Jason sighed as he carefully picked up the boxes, thankful nothing had broken, not that he would have cared much. "Come one, we need to get everything back inside before it gets too late."
"Is it a Red night?" Jason paused, making the two men stop cold, fidgeting slightly in place.
"Nah." Jason finally said before moving again. "Nah, figured we've been busy enough as it is. Red can wait, huh?"
"Sure, Boss..." Jason just shook his head as he walked into the back ignoring the other two who laughed behind him. "...whatever you say.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Welcome home, Master Bruce." Bruce groaned as he let the door close behind him. "I assume all went well then?"
"Remind me why I must attend them again?" Alfred just chuckled following after as Bruce made his way to the Batcave. "How are the boys?"
"Nightwing and Robin are currently out on patrol, having left not that long ago. Red Robin should be on his way back home from his mission. His arrival is estimated between tomorrow and Thursday. Miss Cassandra called earlier tonight, she said she would call again later knowing you would be up still. She seems to be doing splendidly as of this moment. And Oracle is currently trying to keep a very rambunctious Spoiler from throwing herself into Crime Alley. According to the young Miss Stephanie, she wanted to see what the 'hype' was about the Red Hood, but Oracle has so far been able to stave off her curiosity."
"And the Hood?" Alfred frowned hearing the dark growl of the man's voice but didn't comment on it.
"There has been no sighting of him tonight thus far." Bruce just nodded, sitting down at the bat computer, with a tense air. Seconds ticked by before Bruce looked back up at the elder man with a soft smile.
"How have things been for you Alfred?" Surprise sparked in the old man's eyes before he just sighed and shook his head. "Alfred..."
"I'm old but not decrepit. I am still able to manage the household just fine even at my age." Bruce's soft smile didn't fade even with the slight twitch of his eye. "I'm perfectly capable-..."
"How have things been for you today, Alfred?" Bruce asked again earning a pointed glare from the elder.
"Things have been ok, for the most part. I managed to do some cleaning to occupy my time before your return. I do not understand your concern." Bruce just chuckled softly as he turned back to the computer, deciding it was best to start on his tasks before his thoughts got muddled with other urgent things.
"I am aware of your will and strength, Alfred. It has simply come to mind that maybe having an extra hand to help with household duties would help. You are but one man. And although you do such a perfect job, there is only so much one man is capable of, and I worry." Alfred's eyes soften as Bruce's tone went a bit quiet. "Especially with all we do... with Gotham and the Justice League. You do so much for us Alfred all on your own. Why is it so wrong that I'd want to find you some help."
"I do not need it, Master Bruce. Besides..." Alfred smiled, eyes glimmering with a teasing humor. "Who else besides me can handle this family?"
"Oh I'm sure we can find someone..." Bruce paused, mind seemingly hiccuping as he was brought back to earlier's event. "I might have someone already in mind. I heard of a young man with a lot of potential. I must say I was quite impressed with all he accomplished with the event alone."
"Oh, dear..." Alfred teased, only making Bruce laugh more.
"Oh don't worry, Alfred. I wouldn't just hand him your job." Bruce shook his head with a fond smile seeing the obvious look Alfred was giving him. "He'd mostly just take over cooking, maybe help with other chores. Just to give you less to have to focus on. You know... help."
"As you wish, Sir." Alfred sighed, knowing it wasn't likely that Bruce was going to let it go. "I assume your reason for staying in and not going on patrol right now is so that you may research this young man?"
"Well, It wasn't my original plan to offer a job." Bruce shook his head getting a bit lost in thought. "It was just something I heard tonight. I wanted to look into him is all. But with an idea now in place, it would imperative to learn all I can." Alfred watched as Bruce seemed to tune completely into the screen, barely even blinking or looking away for a second.
"Would you like me to bring you down some dinner then, Master Bruce?" Bruce barely twitched at the question making Alfred narrow his eyes. "Master Bruce?"
"Yes, Alfred, that would be great. Thank you."
"As you wish, Sir." Alfred let out a breath, running his hand through his silvery white hair before turning away. "Just make sure you take a break after some time, Master Bruce. You don't want to strain your eyes."