Backdated to the 16th

[ancillary]

Characters: Bruce Wayne and Miranda Lawson
Location: Fire Sector
Situation: The most professional dinner date.
Warnings/Rating: Unknown?

[ In a suit someone had one poetically described as formfitting to the point she looked as if she had been dipped in it, Miranda excelled at making herself stand out when she needed to, and when to blend and fade away when she didn't. On this particular occasion she made every effort for the former without coming off as vain. At least this get up suited both work and more pleasurable affairs with equal effectiveness. Despite all appearances to the contrary her actual wardrobe wasn't that extensive. She valued function over form.

Miranda didn't need to be told that Yventas was the ritziest restaurant in one of the wealthiest sectors when it so unashamedly advertised the fact with its rolling, blue flame decor that wrapped around its own private garden and imperial, two story construction. It left her with the wonder if Mr. Wayne had good taste, or just knew how to impress; in her experiences, those two aspects were not mutual. Her high-heels struck the limestone walkway into the building in a constant tap as she waited, somewhat, patiently for her business date. ]

Comments

[cowled]

[Bruce is not a particularly vain man, though he understands the value of vanity when applied to his public persona and dresses at a level appropriate enough to suggest its presence. He's wearing one of the suits Favrielle has made for him -- it's at least equal in quality to the Armani he arrived in, and it's tailored to fit him with the utmost of attention to detail.

He's a few minutes fashionably late when he sweeps into Miranda's presence. She looks remarkable, and his expression is properly appreciative. Let it not be said that Bruce can't be swayed by a woman of surpassing beauty.]

Ms. Lawson. You look exquisite this evening.

[If she offers her hand, he'll even bow over it for a kiss.]

[ancillary]

[ Miranda noted that this was the first time they had met one another in person. Bruce looked the sort of man who could call himself a "big deal" with a straight face and, while not quite as tall as she had imagined him, was not in want for those chiseled sort of good looks. All very nice to look at, but Miranda slide into a disarming degree of familiarity with how she greeted with a smile and firm handshake.

If she had faltered or even blushed then it would have set the mood for the entire evening. She could rely on those methods another time, after she gauged the sort of man Mr. Wayne was. ]

Mr. Wayne, you're too kind. Please -- I assume you know the place better than I.

[ At that she ghosted a hand onto the bend of his elbow. Strong build. Combative, even. ]

[cowled]

[He smiled at her, the gesture bright and mildly flirtatious.]

I've been here once or twice.

[His tone is perfectly casual, and he adjusts his arm the tiniest bit to compensate for their difference in height before leading her into the restaurant. The dress code is in full effect here, and a maître d' steps forward to greet them, all extravagance. They're seated shortly thereafter in one of the private rooms, an elegant affair with a low, formal table and cushions on which to kneel. Bruce steps free of her hand and waits respectfully for her to be seated first.]

[ancillary]

[ Miranda catches the amorous undercurrent of his winning smile, and tries not to over-analyze it too much. Except that it's just what she would have done.

She makes small talk with appreciative remarks for not only inviting her, but seeing that they would be conducting their affairs in a private room. They went through the motions of being seated, then ordering wine before Miranda fell back into business.

She tapped the bone of her wrist where the card for her omni-tool was plugged into the seam of her glove. The orange holo-projected tool popped up instantaneously, and Miranda busied herself with plugging away at the haptic interface while making the added effort to maintain friendly eye contact with Bruce. ]

I didn't want to rush the evening, but I did bring everything I felt necessary for discussing your plans. And my potential involvement.

[cowled]

By all means.

[Bruce hasn't touched the wine. He claims not to have the head for it. Instead, he's sticking to water, and now shifts his glass from one elbow to the other so he can lean across the table to glance at Miranda's little gadgetry.]

That's quite the system you have there. Replicable?

[ancillary]

If you know any technical engineers in the neighborhood that can build a sensor analysis pack without a VI microframe, then, yes.

[ It was said more as a joke, but given Miranda's lacking grasp on the nuances of humor (especially the amicable sort) it came off as rather flippant.

Her wine remains similarly untouched; her reasons fall into more a attention span that is wholly absorbed in her own work. She pulls up a vid screen and opens the only recently accessible files surrounding her own work in the medial fields. Specifically, a female human skeleton with a detailed laundry list of cybernetic repairs, tailored surgical procedures, and another expanded list of methods ranging from the mundane like blood transfusions to the extremes such as synthetic bone lattices and spinal reconstruction. ]

My own work my be a little...eccentric for your own endeavors, but I can assure you that I would be more than willing to offer my services. This is Project Lazarus -- my baby, as a colleague of mine liked to refer to it as.

[ Miranda manipulated the projected screen to face Bruce, and give him free range of de-classified files surrounding her work in bio-engineering and radical surgery. ]

[cowled]

[He does, actually. Given time, Bruce could probably replicate it himself, although it really does sound more like Harold's field than his own. He prefers to apply himself elsewhere, but the original Batcave was all his own design, until he acquired Harold. Still, he waves a dismissive hand and studies the screen.

Eidetic memory's a hell of a drug. Bruce glances through some of the information in casual passing, paying very little overt attention to any of it. He hasn't gone out of his way to set himself up as a science man, only someone who's interested in applying it.]

And what would you like in return? This is a significant amount of expertise to offer in exchange for mere monetary return.

[But business, ah-- his area of expertise.]

[ancillary]

Security.

[ The world falls out of Miranda's mouth so readily that it's almost enough to inspire a pang of embarrassment. She flicks off her omni-tool once Bruce appears done glancing it over, then took a pull of her wine that was larger a sip than what some might consider good manners. Miranda would argue that was Shepard's influence. ]

What I mean to say is that I like to know where I stand. I'm in an environment where I'm not utilized effectively, and what you're proposing is a chance for me to continue my simple goal of self-preservation without becoming indolent. [ Miranda is very blunt in the way she refers to herself as a tool rather than a person. Hard habit to shake. ]

Money doesn't hurt, either.

[cowled]

[She reminds him, just then, a little of Selina.

Oh, Selina would never come to him and ask him for anything, but the fear of being idle - and yes, he's certain it is something of which she's at least somewhat trepidatious  - is familiar enough. They could even pass as sisters, and Bruce takes a moment to consider whether or not his judgement has erred because of that similarity.]

It's a charming offer, Ms. Lawson. What would you need to continue your research here?

[ancillary]

[ At that question, however briefly. Miranda's expression turns almost crestfallen. ]

I'm sure whatever you can cull will facilitate whatever you'll need of me, but as of right now I am without a project.

[cowled]

[Whups, that's set the bat senses tingling.]

Was, ah, this-- [he gestures at where the implant is under her skin, meaning the omni-tool] your project?

[ancillary]

Project Lazarus was a complete success. [ The memories drudge up, and Miranda's hand ghosts over the brim of her wine glass as she tried to push them back down again. ]

My...patient, I suppose you could call her. She was a naval commander, and valued very highly. After she recovered I served under her as XO, and after that? Haven't seen her since.

[cowled]

[Lazarus. Bruce raises an eyebrow, but it's with the curiosity of the everyman, and not that of Batman and Ra's al Ghul.]

Do you mind if I ask what year you're from?

[ancillary]

2186, and to be honest I expected that question much sooner.

[ She hadn't spent long here, but gathered that the frayed time between worlds and people would be a hot subject. ]

[cowled]

[He laughs.]

Are all your standards this high, Ms. Lawson?

[ancillary]

Of course. [ She smiles and shrugged her shoulders as if it were nothing. ] I would never get this far in life if I sacrificed my personal standards.

Don't let it get to you; I think you've passed muster, Mr. Wayne.

[cowled]

[His answering smile is a little dry.]

I'm glad to hear it.

[He takes a drink from his water glass, bares his teeth a bit at the sudden shock of cold and sits it down gingerly, adjusting the coaster beneath it.]

So, to be somewhat blunt. Would you be looking to be in my employ, or more for a partnership?

[ancillary]

[ The grin she returned in kind over the brim of her wine glass was similarly so. ]

Mr. Wayne, I didn't come all the way out here because I heard the wine was good. Although, 'partnership' is a richer bargain than I had anticipated -- but, I can't say I disagree with your taste.

If that's what you want to put on the table, but to be honest I would call it better business to see to integrating me into your employ before deciding whether you want me in a partnership. I work best under conditions in which I prove myself.

[cowled]

Then we'll take things one step at a time.

[he lifts his water glass.]

Cheers, Ms. Lawson. Welcome to Wayne Enterprises.

[ancillary]

[ Their glasses clink together in a sealed agreement. ]

Happy to come aboard, Mr. Wayne.

[cowled]

So, now that that little matter is concluded, I believe the rest of the evening's ours to do with as we will. Do you have any other plans?

[Oops back in the playboy role.]

[ancillary]

Looking over budget drafts for the next six or so hours was how I planned to spend the remainder of my evening if this went well.

[ She laughed casually. It had been her first idea for a good time, anyway. ]

But, I suppose I can learn to be more flexible with my schedule.

[cowled]

That sounds positively invigorating.

[He's half-laughing as he says it. Bruce Wayne is not a numbers man.]

[ancillary]

Time of my life, really.

[ Things you wished she were joking about, but wasn't. ]

I find the ones in charge know best how to enjoy what little time is allotted to them, though.

[cowled]

[Oh that definitely gets a bit of a disarming smile.]

I think you've possibly overshot your estimation of my work ethic.

[he has all the free time in the world, gosh.]