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Post by Alfred Pennyworth on Aug 6, 2013 21:23:56 GMT
Being finally convinced that the tea was the proper strength, not too weak, not too strong, he assembled a tray. He placed three properly polished silver cups on it. Then he decorated them with a variety of sweets (scones, cookies, etc. circled around the cups). He had no idea what Julia's tastes were but he was confident that the food and tea would at least be to Master Wayne's liking.
He entered the room with Master Wayne and Julia. He looked her over, hoping that her face would clear up the mystery left by her name. No such luck. Her face wasn't anymore recognizable than the name. Master Wayne was right. She appeared to be in her early twenties. Alfred had no idea what someone so young should want with him. Was she trying to get close to Master Wayne?
"Master Wayne, will we be dining here or would you prefer to move to another room?" he asked cordially. He turned back to Julia. "Julia Remarque, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance," he said politely. There really was nothing else he could say at the moment. He didn't recognize her at all.
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Post by Bruce Wayne on Aug 6, 2013 21:27:15 GMT
"Let's adjourn to the dining room," he told Alfred simply, glancing between him and Julia.
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Post by Julia Remarque on Aug 7, 2013 0:00:25 GMT
Julia stood up uncertainly. Normally she would shake Alfred's hand, give him a proper welcome; but, at the moment his hands were preoccupied with the tray. She deliberated and finally decided the best thing she could do was move closer. As much as an emotional wreck as she was, to her credit, she hid it well and offered Alfred her most warm, charming smile. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance," she echoed. He obviously didn't recognize her; but, she had expected as much. After all, he'd never seen her before and she didn't have her mother's red hair. Her brown was tinged with auburn. Sometimes if the light hit it just right you could see it. But otherwise...She didn't think she particularly looked like her mother. And even if she did it had been more than 25 years since Alfred had last seen her.
So they were moving to the dinning room? The location didn't really matter. Everything was going to go to hell soon anyway. But at least maybe there Mr. Wayne would sit down. It wasn't fair that she was a basket case and needed to sit to hide it while he got to stand.
Her eyes wandered to the tray. She couldn't deny that the refreshments looked good. She doubted she could eat anything at the moment but it looked good. Julia really appreciated sweets. Jacques was used to fine dining with his wealth. Julia never starved. She had to be fed at least adequately to accomplish the desired tasks. But she never ate his grade of food. She lived off of the cheapest food stalk imaginable. Only when she spent her own 'allowance' money or attended a party for appearance's sake or a mission was she allowed to taste something as fine looking as this. Yes, this food was clearly not for the poor.
Well maybe the tea would help. Even if she couldn't drink any, just holding the warm cup in her hands would probably soothe her nerves. And it would probably smell good too.
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Post by Alfred Pennyworth on Aug 7, 2013 0:29:41 GMT
"As you wish Master Wayne," he responded, watching Bruce look to him and look back to Julia. He met Bruce's gaze and communicated that he had no idea who this woman was. Although that should have been fairly apparent from his 'Pleasure to make your acquaintance'.
So she had never met him before. Why else would she repeat his sentiment? Or was she merely being polite, trying not to embarrass the old man who couldn't recall who she was? Or did he really not know her? In which case, why was she here?
"Miss Remarque, if you'll kindly follow me I will direct you to the dinning room," he said cordially, leading her out of the room.
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Post by Bruce Wayne on Aug 11, 2013 23:35:18 GMT
Bruce walked in the lead. This woman was here to see Alfred, so he'd go first and lead the way, in case they might talk. Even if Alfred appeared unsure of who she was, there was certain to be a connection somewhere, and a connection that should come to light soon enough, if they spoke enough. For now he was going to stay out of it and let them talk. It might not happen here, in the hall, but eventually it should.
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Post by Julia Remarque on Aug 12, 2013 1:57:43 GMT
Julia longingly glanced at her suitcases. She couldn't leave them alone! She just couldn't! She eagerly snatched them up. She had carried them all this way. All of her precious poisons and antidotes were nestled inside. Everything she had to her name was contained in those two boxes. She wouldn't leave them unattended unless ordered to do so. They had to know she couldn't do anything with them quickly. She would need to open them and then find the proper articles. Then she would have to place the proper dosage in a syringe before she was capable of attacking. She looked at Bruce with pleading eyes, silently begging him not to take them from her. They would give her some token of comfort. Then at least she'd know strangers wouldn't steal her things.
She followed Alfred in and Bruce in silence. She still didn't know how she would break the news. She had been taught that when uncertain it was best to stay quiet. She didn't plan on saying anything until she was coerced into a statement.
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Post by Alfred Pennyworth on Aug 12, 2013 2:00:42 GMT
Alfred didn't know what this Julia wanted or expected from him. He thought it would be best to let her speak first. As she said nothing he continued to silently lead her to the dinning room. Once inside he finally set down the tray. He poured tea for the three of them and placed the cups in the appropriate places. "Please eat and drink to your heart's content," he said hospitably, waiting for everyone to be seated before taking a seat himself.
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Post by Bruce Wayne on Aug 12, 2013 2:02:15 GMT
Bruce took a seat and a cup of tea for himself, taking a sip as he looked between them, waiting for some answers.
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Post by Julia Remarque on Aug 12, 2013 2:07:22 GMT
"Thank you Mr. Pennyworth," she replied. Good. Her voice didn't shake. It sounded confident enough. She was really getting to the nervous wreck stage but she liked to believe she was hiding it well enough. She took the steaming cup of tea and simply held it. She tried to let the warmth seep into her and steady her nerves. It didn't help much. Despite eating nothing in the past 24 hours she couldn't force herself to touch any of the delicious looking sweets. Her stomach may as well have been petrified for all the good it was doing her.
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Post by Alfred Pennyworth on Aug 12, 2013 2:14:48 GMT
"It's no trouble," Alfred replied politely. He contemplated asking her what business she had with him but he didn't want to appear rude. He figured he could give Julia at least a few moments to sip her tea before questioning her. Besides, she seemed nervous. He didn't want to push her.
Everyone was so quiet. As the butler it was Alfred's responsibility to ensure the comfort of guests and hosts alike. He tried to break the silence. "Is the tea to your liking Master Wayne, Julia?" he asked. It was a good non-personal conversation starter. Hopefully it would ease someone into a decent discussion. He would be fine with Mr. Wayne picking up the slack at this point. He didn't want to prod Julia before she was ready but it was uncomfortable for everyone to drink in silence like this.
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Post by Bruce Wayne on Aug 12, 2013 2:15:53 GMT
"The tea is fine, Alfred," Bruce said, "As good as always."
Small talk. That could go on for a while, but he didn't want it to. He wanted to get some answers to what was going on here, and the sooner the better. He was curious about this whole thing.
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Post by Julia Remarque on Aug 12, 2013 2:25:39 GMT
The tea smelled delicious but she had yet to taste it. She forced it into her dry mouth. It was good. She could process that much. "Delicious," she replied but her tone was somewhat dry. Everyone was waiting for her to explain herself. She could see it in both of their eyes but...She just wasn't sure how to begin! She sighed. Procrastination would get her no where. It didn't matter if she had five minutes or an hour or even a day. No matter how she broke it this conversation would be incredibly awkward.
"Mr. Pennyworth, do you by any chance remember a Mademoiselle Marie?" she finally asked, making definitive eye contact with Mr. Pennyworth, her biological father.
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Post by Alfred Pennyworth on Aug 12, 2013 2:36:14 GMT
"I'm glad the tea is to both of your liking," he said cordially. Alfred smiled when Julia mentioned Marie's name. She had been a very brave woman in the French resistance. He had been fortunate enough to make her acquaintance. He had been an intelligence officer at the time. They'd been on the same side of the conflict and had worked together for a time. He'd loved her, loved her deeply. But they both had other responsibilities. His place for the most part was in Britain. His stay in France was temporary. When they had separated they had promised to keep in touch but such promises were soon forgotten. They were both too busy for such connections and their tasks were dangerous ones. They couldn't risk being tracked through letters. And by the time Alfred had retired from the intelligence it didn't make much sense to seek her out. Plus he'd been busy fulfilling his dying father's wish, integrating himself into the Wayne family. Still, he hadn't forgotten her, not really. He could still picture her face clearly.
"A very brave and noble woman. I was fortunate enough to work with her for a brief time," he said with admiration. "Tell me Miss Remarque, what is your connection with her?"
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Post by Julia Remarque on Aug 12, 2013 3:09:35 GMT
The tea turned to ash in her mouth. The dreaded question. 'What is your connection with her?' Was it too late to flee, just apologize for the intrusion and run? She supposed it wasn't too late but then this whole meeting would have been pointless. Traveling to Gotham city would have been pointless. Well...Maybe not entirely pointless. At least now she had a person to connect the the word father to but...Her visit would be basically meaningless.
Why was she here? Alfred owed her nothing. He wasn't aware of her existence. He had no part in how she had been raised. Julia herself was loyal to no one so why should she expect him to be loyal to a blood relation he had nothing to do with? But since she wasn't loyal to anyone, why should she feel bad about asking for help? He could refuse to help as per his right but as he was her biological father didn't she have a right to at least ask for aid in her time of desperate need?
"She was my mother although I never met her," Julia said dryly, her anxiety apparent despite her best efforts to mask it. "And you Alfred Pennworth are my father," she declared, firmly locking her gaze on Alfred. She needed to act bold and confident like always. Even if he should reject her claim, even if he should turn Julia away she at least needed to maintain her pride. If she lost her pride...just what was left?
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Post by Bruce Wayne on Aug 12, 2013 3:11:20 GMT
Bruce heard her words, and just sat, frozen completely still and staring. Alfred was this girl's father? Of course, it was only her claim, it could very well be false. However, the mere thought of it really got to him, and he wasn't entirely sure what to feel. Happiness for Alfred? Sadness, for not knowing his daughter?
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