Where to Go from Here (Open)

[Alfred Pennyworth]

Hadn't noticed her looks? Alfred hid his surprise before giving Bruce a knowing look. He'd been rather taken with a woman named Jaina recently. This was promising. He was enamored enough with her that he wasn't sizing up every pretty thing in a skirt that passed his way. Alfred would have liked Bruce to be taken with someone in a different line of work but he wasn't going to complain. Progress was progress and Bruce had done more than his fair share of sleeping around. Who was Alfred to judge?

"Well if someone wishes to see me I should provide the proper refreshments. I'll start boiling the tea. Is there anything in particular you want, Master Wayne? Please keep our guest company until everything is prepared." He gave Bruce a wry smile. "And you might as well stay afterwards to as I take it you'll be listening in regardless of your location." Bruce would never admit it but in his own way he was very controlling. He had the people he cared about followed and monitored. He simply had to keep tabs on them. He couldn't not know what they were up to.

[Bruce Wayne]

"I will be," he confirmed, "But only because I care."

With that he left Alfred to make the tea. He could handle it and let Alfred go and talk, but Alfred had already said he would, so Bruce had might as well go and take care of their guest.

[Alfred Pennyworth]

Alfred smiled warmly. "I know." Bruce's undue attention might creep others out but Alfred understood it was his way of showing affection, letting others know he cared. He was controlling but he really did want to protect those he loved. He simply wanted to ensure they weren't making any terrible mistakes or being threatened. It could be a little much at times but Master Wayne was a billionaire and billionaires would often go a little bit over the top.

Alfred was left alone to handle the tea. He was really curious about just who this visitor was, what she wanted. He didn't fret about it too much. He would find out soon enough. He took his time with the tea and refreshments. It would be unacceptable to serve anything less than the best to Master Wayne and their guest.

[Bruce Wayne]

Bruce went back to where he had left Julia, "He'll be coming shortly," he informed her. He wondered if she may have done anything, but he did actually hold enough trust in her to assume not.

[Julia Remarque]

Julia hadn't done anything unless you consider staring at the walls and contemplating what you could possibly say to your biological father who didn't know he was your biological father something. She was somewhat surprised that Mr. Wayne had left her and her suitcases unattended; but, she didn't doubt that there were video cameras everywhere. Someone would notice if she had been up to no good.

"Thank you," she said yet again. Her voice was unusually strained. She was typically very good at masking her emotions; but, she wasn't afraid to admit that this situation had her rattled. She had no where else to turn and she had no right to turn here in the first place. She was about to figure out just how very screwed she was. Well, that was assuming she could get the words out in the first place. She had no idea what she was supposed to say to her father! Why should he even believe her in the first place?! Was coming here a terrible idea?! Well the worst they could do was kick her out, right? Then she wouldn't be any worse off than she was before. Well..She wouldn't have the hope anymore and she'd be down the money she spent on the plane ticket but besides that she'd be no worse off.

Well...Even that wasn't necessarily true. There were illegal substances in her repertoire of poisons and experimental poisons she was concocting. So yeah...She could be thrown in prison. That would be worse.

[Bruce Wayne]

"Please, have a seat," he offered, gesturing to some chairs against the wall. He figured for now they'd stay here until Alfred came out to find them. He'd let Alfred decide where to go from there, wherever would be more comfortable to have a guest. He'd have moved her himself, but Alfred knew they were here, and that would work better.

"He's preparing tea at the moment."

[Alfred Pennyworth]

Alfred continued to prepare the tea.  Adding the proper spices, sampling a bit. No, not strong enough.  He needed to play with it a bit more. He wasn't dawdling. He wanted to create the best tea imaginable.

[Julia Remarque]

She really would have rather stood; but, she didn't want to look anymore stressed out and strained than absolutely necessary. She walked over to a seat and sat down. She assumed she was walking normally but she felt like a robot set on autopilot. She couldn't help but chuckle at the preparing tea comment. Well he was British after all.

"Can I ask you something?" She didn't wait for his response. "What's Alfred Pennyworth like?" Mr. Wayne didn't think he'd ever leave. That meant he thought highly of him, right? Mr. Wayne didn't want her father to leave.

[Bruce Wayne]

Bruce walked in her general direction, though he didn't sit. He looked up for a moment, collecting his thoughts briefly before looking at her, "He's a loving man, like a father to me. He'd do anything for me."

[Julia Remarque]

A protective, loving, and nurturing man. Like a father should be. "You're very lucky to have him," she said sincerely. She would have killed to have an adoptive father like that. She could have laughed. Well she did kill him but not for that reason. At that point it wasn't so much about wanting a loving father figure as wanting a way out.

[Bruce Wayne]

"After my parents were killed, Alfred became like my father," he told her. "I was only eight, so I don't remember my father overly well. Whenever I try to think of him, I see Alfred."

[Julia Remarque]

That was actually really sweet. So that was why he hoped Alfred never left. He viewed him like family. So her biological dad did have practice with being a father. She doubted he'd be too keen on getting another child. Mr. Wayne probably wouldn't be too thrilled by the prospect either.

"I'm sorry about your parents. It's good that you had Alfred to look after you, though." Even for a billionaire who had everything, it must have been tough to lose his parents. Julia supposed she was lucky in the way that at least she had never known the good life. She had never met either of her parents. All she could remember was Jacques. Life was harsh with him but she didn't have anything better to compare it with.

"I never met either of my parents. I was raised by a family friend, Jacques Remarque. He wasn't like Alfred, though. He only ever saw me as a tool to make money." She wasn't quite sure why she said it. She was still trying to figure out how to break the news to Alfred and Mr. Wayne since they were so close.

[Bruce Wayne]

He really wanted to question that last statement, but he held his tongue. There were multiple obvious connotations to that; prostitution, she had admitted to having poisons, so something along those lines, like an assassin. He didn't think about it now, though.

He nodded once, "Yeah...and thank you, it was hard to lose them so young. I'm sorry about your childhood."

[Julia Remarque]

Julia shrugged. She didn't like being pitied. She was strong and capable. She could take care of herself. She was in a bit of a bind now but somehow or other she supposed she could work things out. She didn't know how without help, though. That's why she was here. Even though she shouldn't be. Alfred already had Mr. Wayne. He didn't need her, probably didn't want her.

"Don't be sorry. I was the lucky one. I had no parents to lose. I don't remember them. I can't imagine what it would be like to lose people you care about. To have them there one moment and then just have them snatched away the next." She shook her head. No, that was definitely something she couldn't picture. It was hard enough to imagine caring about anyone in the first place. She had friends sure but none she ever saw outside of school. They were more friends of convenience. Jacques made it quite clear that she didn't have time for social engagements. And she had to lie about practically everything with them anyway. When they parted ways it hadn't really been that sad. They were replaceable. Make they weren't friends to begin with. More like friendly acquaintances.

[Bruce Wayne]

Bruce only gave her a nod, not having any particularly strong desire to talk about this with a stranger.