the finer things in life [MARC]

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The pretty redhead couldn’t help but feel a bit giddy as she arrived at their destination linked arms with one of the wealthiest men in Gotham. His reputation certainly exceeded him, and she did owe him a great deal of favors after he had been such a generous host during their last encounter. When he had called her and asked her to accompany him to a garden party that had been privately invited to a majority of Gotham’s elite, she agreed simply for the experience alone. It was sure to be a beautiful party with an amply amount of finer wines and conversation.

The north side of town was unfortunately not the side that Summer typically inhabited, but that didn’t mean that she could portray herself as such. Wearing her favorite designer in a dress that complimented her fair skin and hugged her hourglass frame, she certainly did fit the part. Her fiery hair cascaded past her shoulders in spiral curls as they started down the cobblestone path that was lined with various different stunning plants and flowers. The elaborate garden was decorated with lanterns and had a very charming, fairy-tale feel to it. Summer’s face lit up when she finally laid eyes on the beautiful sight, turning to him with almost a child-like excitement.

“This is absolutely beautiful.” Summer said as a rather large woman rushed to greet them. The redhead waited until the proper time to speak before she introduced herself to the hostess, hoping to provide her with a great first impression of the charming young reporter. Sipping a rather full glass of red wine, she sent the pair a wink before turning to go talk with the rest of her guests – though that would not be the last time that night that the older woman sent a suggestive look in Summer and Marc’s direction.

Blushing slightly, she looked to him with her white smile. “Well she seems lovely. I just can’t get over how amazing this place is. So- what would you like to do first?”

summer is wearing: this

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His education on his family's vineyard had given him
discernment. These skills had served him well as he
had trained to become a Sommelier as well. It extended
from grape to grain as he had expanded his knowledge
from wine, to other varied spirits and onward into
life. To food, and especially to women. He had
cultivated a certain taste for the finer things in
life, and he knew quality in a woman from the way she
walked in a shoe to how she ordered her coffee, to the
way she angled her chin.

Marc Dahlmaine knew quality. And he knew quality in
quantity. There was no better way to hone one's tastes
than in quantity. And such an exquisite bloom on his
arm she was. A ruby, rare, or a fine vintage Merlot,
one so ripe he could nearly feel the rush of liquid on
his tongue.

He had quite literally ran into Ms. Gleeson at a prior
engagement. After their evening together he had made
sure to have a case of his finest wine sent to her an
roses to her workplace as well with a note written
painstakingly in his hand. And after he had gone
through his short list of new acquaintances to take to
this fete she had seemed quite suited.

He had taken care to offset her own complexion with a
dark navy shirt of his own, his suit in unblemished
noir. In lieu of a tie he went with the top of his
oxford unbuttoned as he was wont to do. It could be
explained as he was French. But not that he would be
contested in such a choice. As he guided her to
carefully showcase her gown, her expanse of pale skin
exposed to the afternoon light he paused here and
there to express thanks or trade news as well as
introduce his date. The raised brows and murmured yet
not voiced aloud opinions were not lost on him. It
was good he cared little for their whispers and
judgments.

As one of his acquaintances rushed to see him he
greeted her fondly. Gritta, he had come to know her
as. She had a rather robust German demeanor, and some
of the best pastries of one of his now owned
restaurants. As they conversed in her native tongue
for several moments he had finally been able to break
away from her strong grip to show off his date; Ms.
Gleeson as he introduced her to Gritta Becker. It was
only after several brief moments of poignant chatter
did Gritta leave with a wink and a knowing look at the
two.

Laughing heartily he would procure two glasses of a
light Rose for him and his date, one of many, many
glasses the duo would consume for the evening.
"Gritta is quite lovely. And skilled at what she does
best as well. I could not deny you such an event as
this." A sip of his wine and he looked over the
landscape. There were numerous lawn-games set up as
well as food, music and other couples to chat with.

"We have no rush in which to indulge, Summer. You pick
our second, as I have chosen our starting wine. Ladies
first?" He'd grin as his hand went to the small of her
back to guide her in whichever direction she fancied.
He would follow.

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Summer was aware who a majority of the attendants were, simply by their name and reputation alone. It appeared as most had known Marc as a businessman, his larger-than-life reputation had gotten around the city fast and it seemed as though everyone wanted a piece of him. She couldn’t blame them, he was wealthy, exotic and beautiful, something that every woman would like to collect as a trophy and Summer already had. Most of the younger woman attempted his attention, though the young reporter hardly noticed. In a way, she was a bit out of her league, though she mananged to camouflage herself nicely. Her positon at Gotham Live had required her to take part in many high-end events, though it was rare when she was actually considered a guest.

The couples and individuals that they had encountered were incredibly pleasant, though Summer could feel a great deal of eyes on her. She wasn’t bothered; after all, she spent the last few years of her life in front of an entire city with ease. Though she composed herself well, she was a little nervous. To think, she could appear on live television in front of thousands but a simple garden party resulted in a mess of nerves. “I greatly appreciate it. I desperately needed a little distraction from work. It's been chaotic to say the least. Taking a sip from her own glass of the sparkling liquid that resided in the flute of the elegant glass, she smiled at the result though she had no idea what it was.

Her face lit up at his charm as she bit her lower lip, as if toying with what they could do next. "Hmmm." The sun was setting over the beautiful venue, but one particular attraction seemed to seize her attention. The hedge maze in the distance was both intimidating and captured her curiosity. Lacing her fingers with his, she began to guide him down the lantern-lit path toward the maze. With a bit of a spring in her step, she withdrew his hand from his, continuing toward it and sending a mischievous look over her shoulder in his direction.

summer is wearing: this

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He is quite aware of her nerves. And despite such he is ever the gentleman as he guides her from guest to guest his hand gently in the small of her back or along her hip as he cradles her close to his side. She is a petite thing. All shades of ivory and crimson from her hair down to the unblemished porcelein of her flesh. With each new man or women they meet his is keen to introduce her not only by her name, but by her acomplishments. She is not only a news anchor, but a deliverer of news, of information, of pertinent events that are vital to the heartbeat of this Gotham City.



Plucking two fresh glasses of a new wine he offers her one before sipping at his own. And while he is quite aware as to what she is here for; information he cannot deny he is grateful for a seasoned pair of eyes and ears to help him as well. "At times we all need a respite from work. Especially when you keep such a studious eye to everyone else's lives. Why not indulge in some fun of your own for once?" He raises a brow to her as he grasps her free hand in his own his fingers gently rubbing over her knuckles. Bringing her pale had to his lips he brushes her knuckles barely with his lips before they continue on.



Her ripe lower lip caught between those perfect pearlescent teeth is not lost on him either. She was a vivid blossom, ripe in the age of fruition like a juicy grape. So even as she contemplated where they would venture next he was rapt at her next words. Raising a brow to the sight of the maze he carefully yet quickly drained his glass before they are off again to the hedgemaze. Her hand had slipped from his as she is offering chase and he is muchly close behind.



He is not in a full out run as he follows but his athletisicm and physique tell otherwise. They are both gaining ground to the entrance as he takes his time to watch the redhead in motion.

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As if her head was not big enough, the way that Marc displayed her like some kind of trophy only seemed to add to her confidence. Most seemed to tiptoe around the news anchor, knowing that no secret was safe as far as Summer Gleeson was concerned. However, she was always in search of a story and in search of the truth. Even blackmail would not prevent her from reporting only the credible information she had obtained, leaving her opinions for her talk show. Smiling at him and being incredibly polite to the well-known individuals she was being introduced too, she clung to Marc’s words as he boasted of her accomplishments. While she always knew personally she had done a great job, it was better to hear it from the words of others.

Taking the wine that he offered her and bringing it to her own shimmering lips, she looked down for a moment as if trying to hide the persistent smile on her pretty face. “Fun and I have a pretty complicated relationship.” She jested, looking back up to meet his charming gaze. He was perfect. Good looking, sweet and had several assets that she was eager to rekindle with later one in the night. However, he seemed almost too good for her. While she was rather vain and full of herself, the millionaire made her feel unworthy.

With a girlish giggle, Summer walked briskly in an attempt to get a lead on him, though he was quickly closing the distance. Turning every once in a while to send flirtatious smiles in his direction, the young woman was making a bit of a game of it – after all, who didn’t want to be chased?

Though the entrance of the maze was lit, the inside was not. The fading sunlight was the only limited light provided as she took ambitious turns, unsure of where she was going. The sound of running water grabbed her attention, making her wonder if perhaps there was some sort of pond of water garden at the end of the hedge maze. She stopped for a moment, only able to hear the muffled noises from the party a great distance away. “Marc?” She called, wondering if maybe he had taken a different path or perhaps he was trying to startle her, though she couldn’t see him as she rounded another sharp corner.

summer is wearing: this

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"Mmm. Fun seems to find you, and then danger is close on it's heels. Or that may just be something about redheads." He'd tease her as he reached to cup her cheek. He could not get over how creamy her skin was. And how fiery she could be when provoked. A flame stoked properly could burn for hours he's found out.

He'd rid himself of his glass as soon as she'd let go of his hand, a devious glance in her direction as she was off. He was more than willing to chase the comely ginger. She got just as much as she gave. So after he half-heartedly ran after her (as to give her a bit of a lead, natch), he had to pause when he entered the maze.

Whoever had done the decorating did a bang up job. If he was remembering correctly it had been the mayor's daughter. Pheobe or Phadre or something. The blonde that was quite....perky. Pausing to take in the delicate lighting in the now descending sun, he noted the rest of the maze was a gloomy shadowy dusk. Running his fingertips along the hedge to his right he listened, trying to hear for any distinguishing sounds.

There was a rush of fabric and hushed giggles to his left. A bubble of a fountain or water straight before him. Before he was able to fully turn he heard his name called out. "Aha." He stated quietly to himself as he went toward where he had heard her call from turning once then twice within the depths of the maze to find his treasure.

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She couldn’t help but smirk at his comment, a false sense of innocence playing on her pretty features. “Why, I have no idea what you are talking about.” She teased in reply, a playful wink quick to follow. While she was unsure as to which of her many incidents that the young redhead had fallen victim too, even with her stubbornness she could not deny her danger-prone tendencies.

As she jogged through the maze, her heels sounded on the cobblestone path. While she was aware the venue had been decorated, the simplistic touches were almost not even needed when the beauty of the garden spoke for itself. Even in this elaborate and well-trimmed maze she could easily find the beauty in it. Once she reached the bubbling fountain, she slowed her pace and dared to approach the large fixture that towered over her. Fireflies and lanterns illuminated the space and the small courtyard was littered in various orchids.

Summer had almost forgotten that she had called his name. Knowing he would find her if she didn’t eventually move, the redhead was hypnotized by the beauty of the colorful fountain. The redhead approached it and reached forward into the water, the rushing water disguising any sounds around her. Even if Marc were to sneak up on her, she would not have noticed it until the last possible moment.


summer is wearing: this

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It took him little time to find her. He was preternaturally stealthy as he came up behind her. His hand slipped across her stomach as he pulled her back into him. "Caught you." He'd murmur into her hair as his eyes followed what she was looking at.

The venue was gorgeous. The softly illuminating lights the touches here and there in the waning sun. He could have thought of no one better for this even to bring to. Her childlike wonder appreciated each nuanced feature at the party. He could not have asked for more. A beautiful woman. An attentive date. Someone who noticed the little things. As he made a low noise in his throat he kissed her temple careful to not muss her artfully coiffed hair.

"Thank you for attending this with me, Ms. Gleeson. Summer." He added her name at the end lowly. She smelled of something sweet, yet exotic as the light wind wafted her scent to his nose. Coiling his other arm around her he hoped to shield her from the impending chill of the night.