Getting to Know You [Selina, Lex] [Metropham]

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How does Animal Farm relate to your own life?

Charlotte stares at the question with a frown. There aren't any communists in her life, so how could it possibly relate? Why are they even reading this book? The Cold War ended, like, decades ago! Stupid English class... She should have gone with the 'pick your own book' option instead of going with the one the teacher suggested. Oh well, she's already read the stupid thing, so she's too far invested to change her mind now - she just needs to manage a few essay questions.

As she continues to draw a blank, she's interrupted by a noise from her phone. Flipping it open, a short text from Selina grants her a short reprieve from this hell. Closing her laptop, she sets it aside and hops off her bed. Sadly, she's undoubtedly going to have to return and answer that question sometime, but whatever Selina wants her for is undoubtedly more interesting, even if it's just to negotiate whose turn it is to do the dishes.

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She felt horrible. But in getting everything together; Charlotte's dress, her dress, jewelry, hair, her little song-and-dance with Lex, and now the press junket, Selina was pushing it. She'd texted Charlotte she needed her, and amidst her semi-not-quite trashed, yet not quite her normal mess of a room, she'd assembled a few things. She herself was in a half-dressed state; casual capri's with bare-feet, and a tunic sweatshirt. Her hair was nearly immaculate in loose waves, her makeup demure. Something she'd wear to a business thing.

Which is what she was going to. A business thing. Ugh. Rolling her eyes at herself, she pointed to her bed, which was thankfully clear. Going to sit there, Selina waited until Charlotte sat beside her. "I hate to do this to you, hon. I totally forgot, and you don't need to have them all memorized, but it will help. I had to do it with a slew of other folks, but we have faces, names, a bit of information I need you to go over." She pointed to her own tablet, and then stood up for a second, holding up two different suit-sets. One was a deep navy, and the other was a vivid, charcoal grey. She preferred the grey, but had contemplated the blue.


Holding both up, she grimaced, and hoped the teen could help her. "Any thoughts? It's for the press junket, before the gala. Lex and I have to talk, give blurbs, be professional for a bit, before you and I get ready." And the fun part. Makeup, hair, all of it, someone else was going to do for them. Sadly, her tone was a bit, petulant. Like a teen. While she loved, and truly loved what she did, parts of it were tedium.

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Arriving at Selina's room, Charlotte glances around and is immediately glad that she isn't Selina. Yes, the homework is boring, but she won't have to stress about getting ready for the Gala for a bit, while Selina is clearly neck deep in it even though there's hours yet to go. Seems like a lot more work than Charlotte would be willing to do.

And it makes Charlotte want to, basically, be on her best behavior just so that Selina doesn't have to worry about her on top of everything else. And at least that's probably not going to be a hard thing to do today - she suspects that it'll mostly involve keeping out of the way at the appropriate points and being polite to strangers. She is capable of that, when she tries. So when Selina gestures for her to do so, she's quick to take a seat on the bed. Though what she says causes Charlotte to immediately ask, "More people I haven't met but need to know stuff about?" She's kind of getting used to that... Well, either that or having new, strange people crawl out of the woodwork completely unannounced.

She picks up the tablet, but before she can start looking Selina is asking her about a clothing choice. Pursing her lips in thought for a moment, she comments, "The gray one looks more powerful and the blue one looks more friendly." Selina probably wouldn't own either of them if they both weren't nice, so the difference boils down to what sort of impression she's trying to make.

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Selina looks over both suits, and nods. "I do think you're right. Grey." She starts talking a bit more after she's slipped into the skirt, top, and waits on the jacket before sitting beside Charlotte.

"I'm really sorry. I just don't want you to question more people than need be. You know Kory, Dick, Alfred, Bruce. But there are a few more that you should at least be familiar with. It's not exactly fair, but folks will want to meet you. And impressions are important. Be honest, or don't when you talk to them. Some you may see again, others not. But it should be fun, nonetheless, to see people, and people watch." She slips her finger along the screen, and a face pops up.
"Jim Gordon, Co missioner. He's Barbara's dad, your tutor." The next is the bubbly redhead herself. "There is Barbara. Next up is..."

Bivins. Selina shakes her head, as the young sleuth pops up. "Leo Bivins. He is one of the detectives that works with Harvey. Or Theo. Detective Bullock. If you need anything, Barbara, or Theo would be best to go to." She lingers a bit on the picture she'd snapped of Harvey, before going on to the next photo with a small blurb beside it. "This is the staff at the Asylum. Doctor Jeremiah Arkham, and next is his son, Nathaniel." She swipes again, and smiles at a more familiar face.

"This is Iris Ledford. She's my therapist, but is damn good at keeping Doctor-patient confidentiality. She's helped me quite a bit when I've needed it." Yes, even folks like her need someone to talk to. "Next is Joan Leland, another talented doctor at the facility. Quiet, but quite deep." And funny, if you take the time to crack her exterior.

"Then there is Summer Gleeson, hostess of Gotham Live. Vicki Vale, for the paper, and Clark Kent, a reporter for Metropolis." The trio of Redhead, Blonde, and raven haired media is swiped through. Next up is the man himself, Mr. Luthor. "Lex is harder to not see, because he is rather striking," Selina jokes, motioning to his bald head. "I'll be with him most of the night, and during the presentation. And I apologize that you are going to this, and I'm not going to be there for you. I'm sorry, hon." She is honestly feeling bad for that, considering how the past few weeks have gone. It's been a whirlwind of a lot, and part of her is extremely proud of the teen for rolling with the punches. She's not her true mother, but maternal pride swells in her chest nonetheless. Who would've thought Selina Kyle, Catwoman would take in a teen.

"But, thankfully, no one will be wanting to crash this thing. Between Luthor, and, you know, Bruce, and the rest, they'd be stupid. And only about a handful are aware of who I am, as well." She flips past Lex, and continues. "We have a few club owners, Rowdy Yates, Beretta Stone, and Oswald Cobblepot, who is with Lola." Lola's last name slips her, but she is modelesque in her looks.

"Tim Drake, Bruce's ward, will be there, as well as Zahira, and Elise, and old college friend of mine. Roy Harper is a musician, and Zahira works at the museum." Selina goes through a few more notable names, until a striking man in a green shirt appears.

"And this, is Edward Nigma. A man known as the Riddler, but also, a good friend of mine. Yes, odd, but he's been invited, and taking a friend, Dee, I believe. He knows he's to be on his best behavior. And with the dress I have, hopefully he'll stay on said behavior." Handing over the tablet to Charlotte, Selina goes back in front of the mirror, to add her finishing touches. "Aria Lloyd can't make it, she's a politician, but she's going to be at the junket. And Pamela Isley, yes, another friend before she started her 'career' will have a live feed to watch. She'd be invited, but she currently has an extended say at Arkham Asylum." Putting a bit of gloss on her lips, she glances at the time, and realizes the car should be there. "I should be back in about two, two and a half hours. Then we can get ready for the Gala. Just hop in the shower, tub, whatever, and let the team come in and do your hair, and makeup if I'm running a bit late. We can go from there." Slipping into her jacket, Selina gives the raven-haired teen a smile, and a quick hug that is really sort of snagging her shoulders and bringing them to her side, before slipping out the door. "See you soon!" She calls out, not quite running to get down to the car, and to the venue.

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Charlotte can't help but make the slightest face at the mere thought of there being more people to meet, but she'll hardly raise any protest about that. But she figures that she can handle making good impressions on people. It's not like she doesn't know how to be on her best behavior, after all.

She's fairly quiet as Selina begins showing her the names and faces, nodding periodically. Some of them she knows already in person, some she remembers vaguely from the news or whatever, but most are new to her. She makes an amused sound when Selina points out Lex Luthor's head before nodding when Selina says that she won't be able to be with her. "Nah, I'll be fine," she's quick to say. It's not like she's attached at the hip to Selina, after all, and yes this kind of party isn't exactly anything she's used to, but it's not like she's never managed polite small talk with people she doesn't know very well before. She's just hoping that there's some young people to talk to.

Watching as more names and faces pass by, she does a double take at the last one when Selina says the name. "Wait, the Riddler is a friend?" she asks, more than a little bit surprised by that one, "And he's going to be there?" That's one of the really bad ones - most of the street kids are terrified of those. Not Charlotte, or at least not as much as she used to be given all that she knows now, but still! The name 'Pamela Isley' doesn't ring a bell at first until Selina mentions that the woman is at the asylum - oh yeah, the plant lady...

Still mulling that over, she nods distractedly as Selina explains when she'll be back. "Yeah, and I can memorize these," she says, starting to flip through them again. She figures that most of them wouldn't be appalled that a young girl like her doesn't know who they are already, but yes it's useful to try and know the important ones beforehand and might help her make a good impression. There's a lot of them, yes, but she still has way more time to get ready than she needs - she doesn't have to run around like Selina is. Besides, it's a good excuse to put off her English homework. "See ya!" she replies back, not bothering to look up as Selina hurries off.

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"Babs will be there. And considering you know...who else will be there, it's not that you need a babysitter, but you should be fine." And she fully believes it, considering most of the guest list comprises the Bat-family. Even though it sees she's trying to convince herself that Charlotte will be ok, instead of thinking it. Maternal worry, it's got to be. "Helena will also be there. Last minute, but she's a teacher, a substitute, you may recognize her?" She takes the tablet for a second, and scans to a different photo.

It's slightly awkward for her her to still realize the two of them...are aware of what Selina does. But as she's running a lint brush over her skirt, she looks up, and walks over. "Edward? And yes. He's one of the few I would consider a friend, and vice versa. And yes, he is going to be there, but he knows the rules. He should be on his best behavior. You'll no doubt run into him, and he likes to talk, linguistics and riddles. A very highly intelligent man with a touch of ego. But yes, I count Edward Nigma, the Riddler as a close friend." She adds quietly, tossing the brush to her bed. She's trying to parlay her nervousness into occupying anything, really, and would love a cigarette, but doesn't want to deal with the smell.

"Harvey, Bivins, Gordon. If anything, you can go to them, as well. But no matter what, if you need me, you're not interrupting." As she waves, to catch her ride, she looks behind her before leaving.

*Several Hours later, Post press-junket*

She was thankful to have been able to answer questions, pose for photos, and show Aria around. It wasn't the full effect, but she was glad to have been able to introduce the woman to Luthor, as well as show her where her 'donations' had gone. She'd set aside a sampler of the cuisine, and had relished the fact of talking to someone who'd been to this rodeo.

So after Lex and her had promised to meet again, to do a final walk-through in a few scant hours, she was relieved to walk into a quiet hum of the technicians; hair, makeup, so forth, that were already working on Charlotte. Not that much was needed, the teen had taken to their slap-dash shopping trip with ease-a trait and feat that impressed Selina immensely. Even when there had been hiccups, the girl was calm, calculated, and more level-headed than she would have thought.

That swelling in her chest returned as she stripped from her jacket, slipping into the bathroom to change into a knee-length silk robe, shedding her business professional for a more glamorous approach. Thankfully her room had been turned topsy-turvy. It wouldn't matter, as she had a block of rooms reserved at the del Mar for post gala, it would make travel much simpler, as there tended to be after-parties at this sort of ordeal.

So smiling at Charlotte, who's hair was already being prepped, coiled, and styled, she was shifted into a chair, her face wiped clean, prepped, while her hair was also styled.

This was going to be a good, if not minor stressful evening. "How are those faces going, hon?" Selina calls to Charlotte, her eyes closed.

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While having someone who actually knows what they're doing fussing over her hair and makeup is still kind of a foreign thing to Charlotte and for the most part she prefers to do those things herself, having them done for her isn't that horrible and especially not on a day like today. Though she's definitely not into fairy tales, at least not since she was really little, getting ready for this event definitely smacks of getting ready to go to the big ball so it's easy to just roll with it. And once she changes out of the robe that she's wearing and into her ballerina/princess dress, that feeling will likely only increase - it's kind of fun being fussed over.

When Selina arrives, she has one lady just finishing up with getting the foundation on her face just perfect, while another is fussing over her nails. It hasn't been that long since they were last done, but especially the gymnastics has not been very kind to them. Her hair has been temporarily pulled back for the moment, though a third lady is confirming the details of exactly how it is to be styled as she waits for one applying the makeup to finish that stage of the process so that they don't get in each other's way. She smiles when she sees Selina, only to be gently scolded by the makeup lady for moving at a bad moment so she refrains from further attempts at saying hello for the time being.

But when Selina returns, the base layer of her makeup is finished, so her hair has been loosed and is in the process of being curled. Her hair is naturally a bit wavy, though she encourages it to be straight, so having it in messy curls for the evening will be a fun change and make the ballerina-like updo they have planned that much more special. And thankfully, now she's freely able to move her face around, at least right now, she can speak freely.

"Good!" she replies, "I think I got most of them - last names especially. I mean, most will be Mr. or Ms. So-and-so unless they tell me not to, so..." And that cut down on what needed to be memorized quite a bit, though she did try to get first names too. "How did the press-junket go?" she asks in return.

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Selina smiles, phrasing her words carefully as her own makeup is being done, and her hair is being twisted; partially up, re-curled, what that will flatter her dress. "Good. A lot of talk, walk a few feet, pose, questions. A lot of blah blah, fake smile, answer more dumb questions." She's getting glared at so she stops talking for a moment, her fingers being looked at, and she knows, glared at as well. Her toes are a mess, not that he shoes are going to show, but part of that isn't her fault. Getting it set again, could be part of it. And if she's gentle, it should be fine for the night. But the fact Charlotte is asking helps to keep her relaxed. She really is a sweet girl.

"I'm impressed! And those you run in to, should be as well. Just don't let them intimidate you. They're people, and a good chunk of them are used to different activities than dressing in formalwear." Like beating heads and scampering across rooftops, to be exact. "There are a few that will laugh if you call them that. Summer, Helena, Barbara. Harvey won't mind one way or the other, and Tim? Just call him that." She adds, sighing as she's told to look this way, then that as her eye makeup is done.

Surprisingly, though, Luthor had not sent jewelry to her. The dress is magnificent on it's own, but she's curious. Motioning to where it's hanging, on her 'dress bar,' she speaks. "You think the dress is ok? Not over the top?" She's sure it's quite fine, but another perspective is always welcome.

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At the mention of Tim, Charlotte laughs and says, "Yeah... I'm not calling a kid 'Mr. Drake'." Because while she guesses that it would be considered polite and proper or whatever, it's just silly between people their ages. A couple of the more snooty teens in her school who fancy themselves to be especially upper class even do that - it's ridiculous! She's been known to call them by their first names on purpose... When someone's old enough to actually be an adult, that's different. Makes sense to her that it would be more of an age thing, especially since she's nearly there herself if she decides that she's Ms. Geier.

Now that the focus has mostly gone to her hair, she finds herself occasionally grimacing as this or that strand gets accidentally tugged just a little too much. But she'll not complain otherwise - the end result will be worth it, and it's not like she can get her hair to look like that herself. Knowing that she'll likely bother the hair stylist if she turns her head, she doesn't turn it to look at the dress, but she saw it before so she doesn't need to. "Well, didn't you say 'the fancier the better'? And you're hosting - aren't you supposed to outshine everyone?" she asks with a grin.

Once the curls are in place, the hair stylist starts pulling it up and back, and as soon as it's away from her face, the lady doing makeup pounces her again to add color to the base layer. Of course, given her relation to Selina, Charlotte thinks that perhaps she ought to outshine any of the younger crowd that shows up. But even if she doesn't, it should be fun introducing herself since there will be so many big names who won't have a clue who she is until she says that she's the ward of Selina Kyle, and then she'll suddenly be considered someone who is at least a little important. Which she thinks is silly, but still fun - she's never been seen as anyone even a little important before. Not even close.

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"Good choice. Tim is thirteen, but I hope a few other teens will be there. Not a whole lot, sadly, but it should be fun to at least people watch," Selina says, a knowing look in her eyes. One that says 'considering all the capes there, you know.'

"And yes, fancier, but...you see me. I wear jeans. I wear leggings. I wear dresses more in the summer. Business clothes are fine and dandy, but that-" She points as much as her technicians around her will allow, to the frothy emerald gown. "That is something else. Custom made, hand-detailed, Lex had it sent over. And I just...I don't know. Green isn't exactly my color, but it will have to do." And as for outshining everyone, she'll play the part. But she'd rather be behind the scenes, or give someone else the information to act on it. Being in the spotlight opens up so much. Things she'd rather not have exposed. But still, it's for a good cause. And a bit of letting go is always fun, right?

Once her hair, makeup, and nails are done, her fingers go to her ankle. She should be fine. She's been laying low, taking it easy as of late. And her shoes are supportive, and gorgeous; not that anyone would think much of the first. So as she stands, two of the gals come to take the dress down for her, and get her into it. Underneath her robe she's in something that could resemble a medieval torture device. Some monstrosity. But it's just a corset/bustier combo that will hold everything together. And it's in a lovely deep indigo hue. Purple, green, who cares. So as soon as she steps into the dress, it's zipped, hook-eyed, and ready to go, with a few tugs here and there.

She is honestly still puzzled slightly by Lex's gift, but without any adornments. It's her earpiece that is slipped into her ear, and a small tube of gloss that is fitted into the pocket of her dress, discreetly. Because yes, her dress has pockets. Luthor has thought of everything.

"Oh! I forgot to say, but pack a small overnight bag. There is a block of rooms reserved for us, so we don't have to go far after the festivities." She smiles again, looking wistful in the mirror as her eyes take in her reflection top down.

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Oh, at the very least Charlotte is sure that the sheer spectacle of the venue and the people will be enough to occupy her attention even if there aren't a lot of people she really even wants to talk to. She just hopes that she doesn't get cornered by someone boring or accidentally embarrass herself or Selina somehow.

She doesn't respond at first, but mostly because she just knows that the makeup lady will be displeased. Fortunately, at her age she doesn't need much even for an event as big as this - just a little pink on her lips and her cheekbones, black eyeliner and mascara, and just a little shading on the lid and she's done. "Since when do you think something is too nice?" she has to ask, because it's usually Charlotte that has that problem. The only reason why she's not having that problem today is because she's decided to just roll with it, and she advises, "You get to be queen for a day - you should enjoy it. And I bet that color makes your eyes pop." And, if it doesn't, that doesn't matter since the men will probably be looking at her figure anyway.

With her makeup done, and her hair nearly done as well, she retreats to her room to put on her dress and the much-debated shoes - she can handle getting into her dress without help, and she'd much rather do so in complete privacy as long as that's an option. Though the second she reappears, she has both the hair stylist and the makeup lady fussing over the last details, like the gold headband. When they finally leave her alone, she joins Selina by the mirror to admire both of them. Selina gets to be a queen, while Charlotte gets to be a princess. Or a ballerina - between the tulle and the hair, it could be more ballerina.

Straightening one of the layers of her skirt as Selina gives her last minute instructions, Charlotte nods, "Oh, that'll be nice!" It means that even if the Gala goes very late and she wants to leave she won't have to bother Selina about a way home if she has somewhere to sleep right there. And it also gives something for her to do during the time gap before she leaves since Selina has to get there early while she can wait a bit so that she'll arrive closer to on time. Which means that she can delay getting back to her English homework too! ...She makes a mental note to stick her laptop into her overnight bag because her string of excuses is bound to run out sooner or later.

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"Hey now. Just because I have nice things doesn't mean I don't question things. There was a time when I lived on the streets, and didn't have anything that wasn't on my person." She's put in time, and effort into getting where she is now. So she humorously wags her manicured finger at the girl, wrapping her arm around Charlotte's shoulders. "Queen for a day is fine with me. And you do look good. That dress looks almost like one of my old dance costumes. You picked out something good, you know." She places a piece of hair behind Charlotte's headband, a wayward strand.

"And if I'm Queen for a night, than by association you're the Princess. So you'll have to let me know if you find a worthy Prince, or even a worthy King, for me." She adds with a warm laugh.

After she gives instructions about the room, she points to a small duffle she'd already packed herself. It has pjs, a more casual dress for the next day, shoes, toiletries, everything she'd need for a night. "If you can grab that and put it in my room-its under my name, and yours is under your's, I'd appreciate it. As it is, I only have about ten, fifteen minutes before a car is sent for me. Lex and I have a walk-through, then...everything starts." It's about an hour until the whole shindig debuts, and she can feel the butterflies in her chest.

"A car will come for you, too. And remember, you know who to go to if you see something fishy, or something doesn't seem right, no matter how peculiar it seems. Even me. I'm the hostess, but save for the presentation, I'll be here and there. And the green makes it hard for me to miss." Another smile, and she goes to gather her small clutch, slipping it into her pocket before she slowly walks through her home, and down to the car awaiting her.

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"Hey, preaching to the choir, here!" Charlotte says with a slight grin, raising her hands in protest when Selina brings up living on the streets. If anything, she thinks that Selina milks that story a bit too much, though she's never said so - yes, she was on the streets at one point, but that was a point of hitting rock bottom for Selina. For Charlotte it had merely been a few steps down from growing up rather poor - she has no fond childhood memories of nice things or sense that she's restoring anything that was taken away from her.

If anything, this dramatic change in her lifestyle even from what it was back before her parents got into drugs has given her a sense of the fundamental equality of the people in the various classes. All these people with so much money, whether they were born with it or earned it themselves, are no more deserving of it than any other person because they aren't any different, really. The only difference is in the bank account, the wardrobe, some educational opportunities, and luck - none of them are actually better, no matter how much so many of them seem to tell themselves so.

She can't help but smile as Selina praises her choice in dress. Admittedly, she really likes it! And she does feel like some sort of a princess in it. Though Selina's comment at finding a prince or king causes her to color slightly. "Oh, I'll be happy if I just don't screw up anything important," she admits, though she doesn't think that she will - she's just setting the bar really low since it's her first fancy party and a rather big one at that. Not that it hasn't occurred to her that she might find a prince...

After that, it seems that she's down to the last few instructions before they go their separate ways for a bit. "'kay," she easily acknowledges each instruction - nothing too difficult, and she really does think that Selina's worrying too much telling her what to do if something fishy happens. Exactly how often does fishy things happen at a party like this? "I'm sure I'll be fine," she says with a grin as she moves to follow Selina the short distance they're going the same way as Selina heads out and Charlotte heads for her room so she can get that overnight bag ready. When they start going in different directions, Charlotte adds, "I'll see you there!"

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She knows she beats a dead horse at times, but she's trying to find a way to relate to the teen. About how bad things could have been, and how bad they still could end up. She blames it on the 16 year old somehow causing latent maternal instincts to surface. She certainly has been a bit more 'motherly' in some ways, a bit more domestic, turning an eye to eligible men in her life.

It's not that she wanted to skirt the issue, it's just her...lifestyle hasn't always afforded her such a luxury. So now in her nearing old age (And age really is just a number, no?), she finds herself wanting different goals. And different things. And it's not a blame on the teen, but a throwback to the times when her own life was happy.

Either way, she's glad Charlotte has blossomed in the short time she's been with Selina. A lot has been thrown at her, and although there have been a few snags, she's doing fantastically with each and every curveball. Even the gala.

So as she hugs the girl to her side, honestly not caring if this or that is out of order, she is proud of her. "You'll probably be seen, or asked if you're my daughter. Respond as you wish, but I'll probably say something that's not quite an answer, pending who is asking. But answer how you feel comfortable. And trust me, important things aren't here at this night. It's just frippery and a lot of showmanship. If you can act, smile, and mind your manners, anyone can fly through a night like this, even myself."

It will be a lot of acting, being gracious, selling a project she's blatantly undermining and backdooring, but it's a worthy cause. And for some damn reason, she was chosen to spearhead it, a cause that she still can't shake she's being used for, of all people, by Lex Luthor himself. Then again, there could be worse people, but she doesn't want to head down that rabbit-hole for the time being.

As the teen takes in the last few instructions, she smiles, turning to hug her tightly once more before she leaves. "I'm proud of you, Charlotte. You're doing a damn good job, without losing yourself." She states, looking into the girl's eyes before leaving for real.

"I'll see you there, it will be hard to miss me and Luthor-we'll be greeting everyone!"

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Allowing herself to be reassured - she's only a bit nervous about it all to begin with, anyway - Charlotte nods. Though a part of it is because she trusts that even if she did screw up something important somehow, Selina would manage to smooth everything back out again. The woman has a lot of skill at that sort of thing, after all, and who's going to care that much if a teen at the party commits a faux pas in the first place? Well, there were a couple on the list she was given that might be 'maybes' on that, but she's confident that she'll manage them just fine as long as she watches herself - and the rest should be just fine either way, though she'll do her best.

Surprised by Selina's last hug on her way out, Charlotte balks just a little bit at her words. "Oh, I don't know if this is 'me' yet," she confesses. Well, certainly not this 'princess of the party' thing she'll be doing tonight - that'll be an act, but probably a fun one. But even the whole, broader picture... yeah, she's not sure all of this is her. Still... "Better than I was, though," she also admits. Because... well, Selina's life is crazy, but being a part of it has definitely been a good thing for Charlotte. She's gaining new skills, learning how to handle herself, has actual prospects for the future... And she does recognize that Selina's only been a helper with that - Charlotte has still been the one doing the real work and she's succeeding well.

When they part ways, Charlotte heads to her room and starts preparing an overnight bag, quickly gathering what she'll need. Some pajamas, clothes for tomorrow, her laptop for if she has time for homework in the morning (hopefully not). The bathroom gets raided for everything that she'll need to undo what's been done to her face and hair after the party, as well as what she'll need to make herself presentable in the morning. By the time she's finished and fitted it all into a bag, which is tricky because it's ended up being a lot of things, it's nearly time for her to go downstairs and meet her ride. So she grabs her things, Selina's things, and takes a quick breath to swallow her nerves before she leaves. To the Gala!