The Grand Dance [Open]

[mustairia]

Unsure of whether to go or not, she overlooked the invitation sent to her for a Ballroom Dance in Northern Gotham. It was during the night time, around 9 o'clock. The invitation was sent from a close friend who lived in North Gotham, though her close friend knew her identity. She was a very trustworthy one... or atleast that's what she has shown Talia. The message was a short one, only of the time and address of the spot. Talia was unsure due to the fact of old memories could unravel easily at a gathering such as this. A gathering in a ballroom, hundreds of people passing by you, it's as if you're spinning in circles with different images appearing in front of you. Only these were live images, live images of real people. These thoughts seem to be only extra ones of what could happen, what if her identity was broken? The thoughts of being exposed as her true form could be an issue. She was Bruce Wayne would attend along with his "gang" he calls the Justice League. Hmph, what pets. She picked up the small paper invitation, with the envelope on the bottom. Should she attend? Only that is the question. She completed all her errands... all of her duties, but oh well! Her legs began to walk into her restroom as she began to get prepared for the ballroom night.

Talia placed a hand on her makeup pad, rubbing it against the container of blush. After a few pats she placed it on her face, the cloud of blush clouded the restroom. Just barely enough to choke someone not used to such a over-dosage of makeup. Next, the lipstick. Instead of getting dressed first, it's best to do the makeup. Lets it settle in some... The lipstick was a bright red. A bright red as if fire burned on her lips. Not only was this enough makeup, she grabbed the pitch black eyeliner. It glided across her eyelashes as they turned blacker than what they were. Though, it does confuse her why eyelashes are so important enough to have makeup... she might as well fit in. Fitting in is key. A key to a chest which holds her life. The makeup began to settle on her face as she slowly exited the bathroom, going towards her closet. The ballroom was exclusive, only the highest of Gotham was invited. Miranda was never invited, she only got invited from her friend who in which got the invitation for her. The press stood outside as the famous entered on a silk red carpet. What outfit could possibly make her look beautiful for the camera? Even though she already is beautiful enough..

Looking through the closet she came across many dresses in which would be able to impress the crowd. She wasn't full of herself, she is a villain. A villain whom could be doing better stuff to accomplish things... but what kind? A ballroom dance would be a great greeting party, perhaps even find some more pupil tor recruit into the league. After a few pushes of the dresses, she came across a white dress. At the torso, it's tight. Tight enough to look like it's suffocating her. Gray lines make it as if it's scaling. Very long and scale-looking. Not only was a diamond necklace enough, she of course worn a long golden one. The gold brought out her eyes. A Diamond necklace which would cover a small scar on her neck. Talia grabbed the dress off of the hangar and entered the bathroom, soon dressing into it. The dress fit perfectly. The last preparations only took the diamond necklace, bracelets, and fix her hair properly. It was 8:30 P.M. She had only thirty minutes, though she didn't want to be on time. Being on time seems as though you wanted to go, the exact opposite of what she wanted herself to seem like. Pulling out the diamond necklace, she stared at herself in the mirror. "I look stunning, not to brag..." After so, she grabbed the golden wrist bracelets and put them on. She was prepared all but one thing--- her hair. Her hair was down, though she preferred to have it up for this dress. Grabbing a small black bow she tied her hair back into a bun, allowing a small piece of her bangs to hang. She exited the room and headed down towards her limousine.

The limousine was as a regular one would look, a long black car with about five doors on each side. Her driver was elderly, with a bald head and a Tuxedo, "Step inside Mrs. Tate." She smiled as the door was held open for her. Her legs entered the car and then herself. The driver quickly rushed to the steering wheel starting the car. "It seems as though we're on a short time to get there... I will try to speed." Her mouth let out a sigh, "Don't sweat it." The limo would slowly pull out of her brick driveway, heading towards the ballroom dance. The dance was just uptown. All you see on the way there is citizens passing on the sidewalks with bags, drinks, or food. Most were on the phones talking to someone or "pretending" to. The limousine would eventually reach a large mansion, many famous Gotham faces were entering the dance. Her stomach filled with butterflies, though her face never portrayed it. It was against her. "I can get out myself.." She opened the door and stepped out. The cameras continued to flash at the people walking inside on the red velvet carpet, press members running around everywhere. She thought it was a bit overboard to rush around for certain people. The flashes in her eyes made it hard to see as she rushed in, smiling at the cameras from time to time.

A large man at the doorway holding the velvet rope looked down at Miranda, "Name?" "Miranda Tate dear, don't wear it out." She said looking up to him. He nodded as he cleared her to enter the ballroom. She slowly entered as she looked around up towards the second floor and the bottom floor. People dancing around on the bottom floor, people overlooking it on the top floor, it would be hard to cover her face to such a crowd. Her makeup made her look different than usual. "Hmm.. where to begin..."

[Deleted]

Victor was again hired to go to some high end dance or party or something. All he knew was that it was going to be full of upper class rich folk and that he was hired to get pictures there. He didn't know what was so interesting about these people but he had been hired to get pictures for the Gazette and if he wanted to get the payment then he had to go through with this. He wore a pair of dark blue jean a gray button down shirt and his usual pair of sneakers complete with his ever present glasses and fedora. He also wore a suit jacket. After all he was making an effort to look nice even though he didn't quite want to be here. He didn't know why they always picked him. Was he really as good as they seem to think he was?

He held his camera at the ready and was prepared to take photos of what ever seemed to be interesting for the paper. As for him none of this was interesting. He was also getting ready to take a picture of anyone who wanted one taken of them. Victor noticed a new woman enter the room. He groaned inwardly at the fact that yet another person had shown up. But outwardly he kept his up his attentive appearance. He figured she wasn't any different then the others he had met. He had never met one before that wasn't tuck on himself or wasn't somehow positive that they were better no matter what others did. He looked down at the lanyard around his neck that had his idea to prove that he was indeed with the press. Or rather he was hired by the press. He glanced at his watch to see how long he had left before he was safe to go. He sighed at he saw that he had quite abit more time before he could leave. He looked back up and took a picture of a couple who had asked for him to do so then after showing it to them and getting the address he should send it to they walked away and he just went back to wandering around the outside of the dance floor so he could keep an eye out of anything picture worthy and keep out of the way at the same time.

[mustairia]

The sounds of the piano flows into her ears. Though, she had no interest in music, dancing, or any of that interaction. She came to look for recruits. Most villains are rich and in hiding, though some are blatant and everyone knows them. Though, there wasn't much of a turn out... more so a blank look on everyone's face. Nothing but smokers on the outsides, sloppy drinkers on the inside, and classy cliques of people talking. Most villains kept a very low head in places such as this... mostly events. Bruce Wayne could easily be lurking about. Surprisingly, it wasn't being crashed at all. Most of Gotham's townsfolk would've turned it into some shooting or a robbery of the masses. Though it was just random faces and press hounds looking for a quick picture for the headlines.

There wasn't much to say to anyone, the wine was tasteless, the food wasn't a "fine dining" as they said in the flyers. Though, it was nice to get out of the home for a small visit towards a small dance. With nothing to do there is only one thing she can do... pester about towards a press member and plead for attention. Just think... Talia's picture on the front cover of Gotham's newsprint. "Miranda steals the ball!" Perhaps will lurk out thieves, iniquitous wildcards, or even vengeance filled men looking for a quick buck. It was a rather easy pull to recruit into the League, the League would've stormed into the place and start a scene. Though she wasn't in-charge to do such a thing even though she was the second-hand to her father, Ra's.

Talia quickly began to make her way around the ballroom. Simple compliments of, "Beautiful dress," "Gorgeous hair!," and other commentary was said as she passed the other attendees. Then from across the room she spotted someone who seemed they were apart of the press. A young looking man with gray hair and a black camera in hand. "Time to steal the spotlight..." She quickly dashed over towards the man wearing the black clothing. "Excuse me sir, you seem as though you are with the press. The name is Miranda Tate. I'd request for me to be on your next issue as a attendee to the ball." She pulled out a small mirror and makeup from her bag. It was as if she only cared about the camera more than the man, in which she did. She grabbed the pad that was covered in brown makeup and began to pat it on her face. A cloud of brown makeup around her and scarlet red lipstick on her face. She looked towards him and walked back. She turned to her side and smiled at the camera, her dazzling white teeth smiling ready for him to take the shot...

[Deleted]

Victor kept keeping his eyes alert for what ever might be good for the Gazette but was also keeping an eye on the time. He didn't want to be here any longer then he had to be. And the woman who approached him for a picture gave a perfect example of why. When she introduced herself as Miranda Tate he gave a slight nod. "Nice to meet you ma'am." He said being polite. He didn't really see anything wrong with meeting this woman. But he didn't see anything good about it either.

He looked at her through the camera as she posed. "I can't make any promises seeing as I'm freelance." He said as he snapped the picture. "This is only my side job. Is this good for you?" He said showing the picture on the camera screen to her. He was making himself appear as though he liked being here. But in reality he didn't want to be anywhere near here. He just had to hope that it didn't show. He looked at the woman while he showed her the camera and pushed his glasses up on his nose and forced a polite smile on his face. It was all he could really manage at the moment because he never really liked being around high society types. Because again he had never met someone who was rich and down to earth before.

[mustairia]

Hmph, a freelance. Oh well.. it's better then nothing. Maybe she'll find a huge reporter in a few moments or just more freelances. Maybe just have her photo leak out.... "Thank you dear, make sure it gets around I was here. I have business, you know? Well anyhow, here's a tip for taking your time." She would pull out a small ten dollar bill. "I barely have any cash." Better then nothing. Her bank account had a lot of money in it, though it was rather silly to go out without cash. She expected someone to be buying her rounds of drinks. Get them drunk and they do anything you say like wolves to a alpha. Maybe this young man is a criminal... just a regular criminal on the streets. How would a person make a living on freelance photography? She stared him down smiling for a few moments before attempting at a casual conversation.

"So, what do you do in your life? I'm sure you have other jobs than manning a camera and taking shots of people more fortunate." She smiled trying to get a new recruit into the League. Start with a small conversation, learn more about each other, start with the drinking, get them to admit things, catch the "criminal" part and you get a recruit. There was nothing else to do tonight except that. Though... not everyone is recruited in. There are some trials and such, but Talia didn't want to get into it. Hopefully he'll stick around for a little bit to listen to her ramble on and on to play her little game. Not many men stink around after a greeting and a question of "how are you."

[Deleted]

Victor let the camera hang from his neck as he hesitantly took the unexpected tip. Was this some sort of trick? He put it in his pocket after taking a suspicious glance at the woman to make sure she didn't trick him. "You really want to give that tip to me? Its not that I don't want it but..." He looked at the woman and tried to see any sign if that was a trick. When she said that she barely had any money he looked at her "I'll give this back to you if you'd like." He said tilting his head to the side slightly as he said this.

When she made an attempt at conversation he felt somewhat surprised. This was new a rich person was actually trying to talk to him for a change. He looked at her again to make sure that she wasn't going to trick him or anything. When it became clear that she wasn't then he decided that there was no harm in talking. Besides there was always the chance that she was going to turn out as a rather nice individual for a change. "I'm a History professor." He said looking at her waiting for her reaction. He didn't know if she was up to something or if she was trying to trick him into something. But he didn't see a reason to run off. At least not now. If she proved to be just another rich person then he would be out of here when the time came. "So I take it you're one of them?" He asked gesturing to the crowd to indicate that he was asking if she was rich all her life. But trying not to appear rude while doing so.

[mustairia]

"If I wanted to keep it I would have. I have much more in my accounts anyway, just not any cash..." She continued to talk as if she was a nice person. It wasn't anything she hasn't done before. He must've mistaken her for a low-financial person from when she said she had no money. Money as in cash on her... It was silly for a person to give out free photos of a person without charge. Talia would've charged, ten for her being with them and ten for the photo. The man seemed not that bright, though he would be a good spy to send in places. Oh well... he most likely wouldn't last a day on the field. Hmph... tough luck. Might as well talk to him for a little bit before leaving... keep the suspicion down. One false move in the system and it goes all around Gotham. One arrest, one place in the slammer and you're the next highlight of the news. It wasn't like they can't bust out on the second day and escape... going back to what they do best. Being criminals.

She might as well fit in with the rest of the cliques at the dance. He may not of dressed up formal, but hopefully she won't be seen as much with the man. "A historian? You do not make much money as one of those?" A historian photographer... you wouldn't think they would be in Gotham. Shouldn't he be out discovering the next underground world of mythical wonders? Or some cavern of millions of jewels... oh well. What he does must make his life happy or he wouldn't do it unless it was a circumstance. Are you one of them? One of who... the rich folks. Talia wasn't some rich classy person. She only wanted to depict herself as such. Though it was rather odd for someone to say one of them. As if they came from an alien world he acted like. "One of them? Everyone is unique. I am rich, yes if that's what you're implying."

Though, the want of being on the front cover is still wanted. Maybe she can get him to pull some strings for her. "Well, I see you're just a freelance. Are you sure you know anyone in the Gotham newspapers? Not even to pull some strings for me? You know, I could really use the front cover. It's something I've wanted for a while now."

[Deleted]

When she commented on not having given him the money if she needed it. That was fair enough..... He started to get a strange feeling that she was trying to get him into something. He just didn't know what but he wasn't going to bring it up if he didn't see any proof. He still felt like the whole money thing was a trick but he decided not to push the subject. He straightened the camera strap on his neck before speaking.

"Well the University pays me well." He said in response to her question about his pay. "And I use this talent for money." He added pointing out his camera. He looked at the people around them and noticed that no one seemed to be paying any attention to them what so ever. He didn't mind that. The less attention payed to him the less people he had coming to him trying to get their picture taken. "Yes I'm meaning you being rich." He confirmed when she replied. He didn't know what it was about these people but none of them seemed to be aware of the other people in the world around them. Or at least it appeared that way to Victor.

When she asked if he knew anyone that he could use to pull strings to get her on the front cover. "I've worked with the Gazette enough times that they seem to like me. I could at the very least put in a good word for you." He said. He was sure that if she really wanted to be on the front cover or the front page or something then she would probably find a way some how. But that didn't meant he'd have to jump at the chance to help her get there. "But no promises." He said as he to a covert look at the clock to see how much longer he had to stay here. He didn't know why he looked when he knew he still had quite sometime before he was safe to go.

[mustairia]

If he didn't want the money he could just say. Stop beating around the bush like you're made to. All he did was just stand fixing a camera strap with a bill in her hand open to be taken. Like the others, hmph. He must've had some bad run-ins with rich Gotham citizens. Almost everyone has... Talia has even had run-ins with them. You get a rich, cocky self-confident man in a room with abunch of low-paygrade citizens and you're going to have a problem. The bill remained out a she would still offer it to him. The ten dollars remained in her hand as she began to get irritated, but kept it in mind.

Oh, a student at the University on a payment plan. Perfect. With a camera surplus coming in to add onto it. She continued to think for a few moments, she wasn't in it for the knowledge of his life just for the front cover of a newspaper. A few smiles and waves should do the trick. Though, it seems he alienated most rich people in Gotham. What? Pissed off because we became something successful? Get over it. Maybe if you'd train and get strength, you MIGHT become a worthy criminal. That's only a might.

Oh good hes worked with newspaper. More easier to get her on the front cover. He should just go there in person and take her up there to save a ride. All he could do is send in a reccomendation? I'm sure he could do more. Just to tiresome to do more than that. Very disappointing. Well, a reccomendation is better than nothing atleast. It's good that Talia made it that far to make him do such a thing... easier than doing it herself. It's usually the rich folk on the newspaper or just random news about a criminal breaking free like always. "Oh, that is most appreciative. Make sure they know my name... Miranda Tate. I hope they can. I've always wanted to be a model and it was my dream to atleast make it on the cover of an newspaper!"

[Deleted]

When it became clear that this woman wasn't trying to trick him with the money he took it cautiously still making sure it wasn't a trick and then placed it in his wallet. He didn't do it overtly in fact he did his best to make sure no one saw it. After all the people around him may have been well off. But he wasn't going to show his money to anyone.

When she commented on her life dream being that of being a model Victor found himself thinking of the time he helped Kory get some pictures for her modeling career. He found himself wanting to offer help in that respect. But he didn't want to get involved with some rich girl for anything. "I can't promise that I'll get you one the front cover but I will certainly try." He said looking at her still with the urge to help her with her supposed dream.

[mustairia]

"Oh thank you thank you." She said with a lot of enthusiasm. She would smile and try to shake his hands with the both of hers. After so, she would look around the dance floor for a few moments, done with the reporter. "Well I presume I should be heading over to another spot, I see a friend and I will have to talk to you another time. But really thank you for getting me on the front cover... hopefully we won't have any problems in the future." She smiled and walked away, her face expression changing back to her normal expression as her back was towards him. She went to the other wing of the dance floor, grabbing a wine glass and beginning to drink. A light purple wine served by the host or hostess. Lets not hope for a break in, it seems this place cost millions to build especially that it's in the north side of Gotham. There wasn't much left to do...

[Deleted]

Victor smiled and gave a nod as she shook his hand. "You're welcome I can't make any promises but I will certainly try." He said wondering why she had to pick him out of all people to be the one to take her picture. He kept up the smile as she turned to leave and then once she left he let the smile fade. It didn't fade to an angry look. It simply faded to a look that was a mixture of boredom and relief that she wasn't there any more. He looked around the room and found the nearest clock and saw that he only had a few more hours before he could leave.