Where to Go from Here (Open)

[Bruce Wayne]

He turned to look at her, "I'm letting you come inside because I do indeed trust you," he told her. "Deny it if you want, but I trust you, I see honesty in what you said. Besides, if something went wrong he'd deal with it. Poisons might be an issue, but he could probably take her out before anything would go wrong.

All those years of training, of traveling the world to become better. He'd put them to use against her if she moved against him or Alfred. He doubted she would, but you never knew.

[Julia Remarque]

Trusting her was really stupid; but, frankly she could use the help. She was pretty short on things going in her favor at the moment. She'd take what she could get. She stooped over and struggled to pick up her suitcases. She had been hauling these bags around for a while and was pretty tired. It were times like these that made her curse no formal weapons training. Depending on the weapon it might have improved her physical strength. Still, she was proud and tried to make it look like carrying them was an easy feat. He was doing her a big favor by letting her see Alfred Pennyworth. The last thing she wanted was him to help her carry her luggage on top of that.

"Well I do appreciate the good faith so thank you. I still think you're crazy to let me in but I am grateful for the opportunity."

[Bruce Wayne]

"Trust me, I know people," he told her, "And I'm also able to handle myself and my affairs. If you would be a problem, it would be dealt with in no time. Trust me, you're not a threat."

He didn't want to overplay his hand, so he didn't say how it would be taken care of, just that it would be. That's all he needed her to know, or anyone to know. They didn't need to know that he was the one who'd be doing it.

[Julia Remarque]

He knew people? Was that an objective assessment or was he just being cocky? Still, even legitimate businessmen could possess incredible skills. Reading people well would be an invaluable capability to someone in his line of work. He did need to make all those deals. It would be useful to know when someone was misleading you.

She chuckled when he said she wasn't a threat. She had often played the part of helpless woman. It didn't bother her when people took her lightly. It was necessary at times; but, such an assumption was always to their detriment. She might not have poisons or a lab on her but she had a kitchen. For someone with her skills that would be enough. People would be surprised at would she could scrounge up from everyday items and make. Yes, she didn't doubt think she'd lack for materials in the manner. And she was good at fading into the background. There were cameras everywhere but she had computer hacking to help with that. No, if she wanted to she could be a threat.

"The important thing is that you believe so."

[Bruce Wayne]

He didn't say anything. He knew he was right, or at least he felt it. He'd learned from the League of Shadows, and from his travels on what people were like, and how to understand them. He trusted in her enough to let her inside, and to be around them for the time being.

He opened the main door and walked into the main foyer, "I'll find Alfred for you. Please, wait here."

[Julia Remarque]

She followed him inside. "Thank you," she said simply. She gratefully dropped her bags. She was really, really tired of hauling them around. Now that she was inside she was really nervous. Of course she didn't let it show but she had even less of an idea of what she would say to Alfred Pennyworth than she did Mr. Wayne. If she had any other options, any other connections, she wouldn't be here. In a sense it was kind of cruel of her to expect anything from this biological father. She was the result of a brief fling. She hadn't known her mother and her father wasn't even aware of her existence. He owed her nothing. She almost felt guilty asking him for help. He likely had his own problems. She doubted he needed any extra help from her. Sure she'd like to meet her biological father, see what he was like; but, would he even care what his daughter was like?

She would pace if it wouldn't be such an obvious sign of her nerves. No, it was always best to act calm and composed. Instead she just admired the fancy interior. Yes, Mr. Wayne hadn't lied. He certainly had a nice chunk of change.

[Bruce Wayne]

I don't think we can really go on without an Alfred

[Julia Remarque]

Yeah. We need an Alfred. Hopefully someone will make one soon.

[Bruce Wayne]

"Alfred?" Bruce called as he walked through the manor. He could pretty much be anywhere, "Hey Alfred, there's someone here to see you!" he called out. No, this was not the most effective way of finding and getting his attention, but it was the best one he had right now. The manor was big, but he figured Alfred would be nearby. After all, he had probably heard the door opening, so Bruce figured he might have been on his way to greet him.

[Alfred Pennyworth]

Having accomplished all the necessary tasks at the moment, Alfred was enjoying some brief leisure time in the library. For an old man his hearing was still pretty good and he always listened for the sound of a door opening. As a butler, it was his job to greet Master Wayne when he returned home and see that his needs were cared for. Sometimes the needs were as simple as tea and refreshments. Other times he had to mend unsavory injuries he obtained fighting crime. It was too risky to whisk Bruce Wayne away to the hospital every time he was injured. People would begin to wonder how someone in his esteemed profession obtained so many questionable injuries.

This time he hadn't heard the door open but he had hear Master Wayne calling for him. He immediately set his book aside and walked out to meet Master Wayne. He didn't sound hurt or upset but rather curious. Alfred wondered what had happened.

Alfred approached Bruce. "Evening Master Wayne. Did I hear you correctly? Did you say someone was here to see me?" His brows furrowed. He couldn't imagine why anyone should come to visit him. All of the appointments scheduled today had already been taken care of. His father was dead and he didn't really have any friends. No, he was much too busy for social engagements. Simply being an ordinary butler for Master Wayne would take plenty of work, add the vigilante business to the mix and he barely had enough time to sleep. No one had contacted him so who in the world would pay him a visit.

[Bruce Wayne]

Bruce nodded to him. He could tell that Alfred was confused, and he was rather confused as well by the whole thing. He figured the only person this could be was some sort of friend of Alfred's, or the child of an old friend who might be seeking him out for her parent's sake. Perhaps an old friend was on their deathbed and wanted to see him, so they sent their daughter?

"That's correct," he told Alfred, "She said her name was Julia Remarque."

[Alfred Pennyworth]

Good to know there wasn't anything wrong with his hearing. He was rather proud of how well the old ears held up. Much better than most of his peers. But then if his ears hadn't deceived him, who in the world would be paying him a visit? The name meant nothing to him. It wasn't even vaguely familiar, like something he had known once and forgotten through the passing of years.

"I'm at a bit of a loss," he admitted. "I don't believe I've ever heard the name Julia Remarque." He chuckled. "Are you sure this Julia isn't using me a pretense to get closer to you?" This Julia wouldn't be the first woman who was after Master Wayne for money or fame, perhaps the first one who used Alfred's name as a ticket through the gates but not the first to want something from Master Wayne. He suspected she was pretty. That's probably why Master Wayne had talked to her.

[Bruce Wayne]

Bruce chuckled a bit. It was a very real possibility, but one already discounted by talking to her and observing her. "I'm pretty sure, Alfred. I see why you'd ask, though."

[Alfred Pennyworth]

"How young and beautiful is she, Master Wayne?" he teased. Despite his jest Alfred knew that Bruce was typically a very good judge of character. If he thought this Julia sincerely wished to speak with him he was probably right.

[Bruce Wayne]

"Maybe twenty three," he told Alfred, "Somewhere around there. And I didn't notice her looks."

That was actually rather true. Jaina had been on his mind.