winter gala

[bossymarmalade]

Zee has her hair half done up in curlers as she’s instructing a few staff members on where she’d like some of the last few decorative pieces placed around the ballroom, “No no no, I’d really prefer you to try and space out the snowmen, I don’t want it to feel like they trying to band together to form an army or anything…creepy. And why does that tree still not have lights on it??”

Tim spent the last few hours pacing his room at Wayne Manor in a somewhat successful attempt to calm his nerves and convince himself attending to Gala is in his best interest. With his suede black shoes, black three-piece suit, crimson shirt and Bruce’s Hermès Faubourg tie, he looks ready to dazzle the crowd with his appearance. Sadly he still doesn’t feel that way when he joins Zee and the chaos that her preparation is. He steps closer, watching people scurry to the tree while blaming each other for Zee’s possible wrath. “Am I this early or are you this behind on schedule?” he asks with a quick glance at her hair.

Zee her mouth is set with a frown as she thinks things would’ve already been done her way had she allowed herself more time to prepare for party and less time spent pouring over her mother’s diaries. She couldn’t expect her staff to to everything for her. At Tim’s sudden arrival she has to check a nearby clock just to be sure, it felt like the group had been rearranging already placed items for hours now, “No you’re early. But we are still behind. Ridiculous. I feel like Ollie got all these decorations and told whoever was working that way to set things up they way they wanted. It looked like a monkey decorated the place when I got here.”

Tim looks around as Zee explains the cause of her delay. Understandable, he thinks with a small amused smile as he envisions Ollie dumping piles and piles of decorations only to forget about them himself. “In that case you’re doing a good job. It does look like you could use another pair of hands,” Tim offers already undoing the buttons on his jacket and rolling up the sleeves of his shirt to his elbows. He has done his fair share of party-planning regarding W.E. galas and foundations, after all.

"Oh no no no, c’mon you’re supposed to be a guest. You don’t have to help Tim really it’s fine," but as Tim takes off his jacket an rolls his sleeves, Zee just sighs letting him do what he wants, "You and Bruce have very similar manners, you know. Which is to say you politely do what you want."

"I offered my help, Zee. It’s fine." Tim swings his jacket over a chair and re-arranges the ornaments on a nearby table. The comparison to Bruce causes him to look at her over his shoulders, eyes curiously narrowing at her. "Politely do what I want? That’s better than what I usually get, which is people telling me I have control issues," he responds as he moves on to another table, folding napkins and swapping a white candle with a blue one from a third table to create the exact same decoration composition on each. Satisfied, he steps back and observes, hands on his hips. "Besides that, yes, I do think we have similar manners. Does that bother you?" he asks looking at her and then around the room once more for another task.

Zee shakes her head, as she watches him work- obviously he’d be familiar with how a gala should be presented. She has to admit that his centerpiece design is even better than she one she’d been thinking on, “It doesn’t bother me, no. It’s just funny seeing similar mannerisms in someone else. I’m surprised I’m just picking up on it now. Yeah, maybe you and Bruce have control issues, but whatever. I knew him when we were younger so I’m used to his ways. Or at least as used to Bruce as he’ll allow. So I’m used to them for you too I guess.”



Tim takes a clean white cloth and inspects the various glasses they will be using tonight. He prefers to wash his own dishes manually, knowing a dishwasher is quicker, but not as thorough. The cloth squeaks as he rubs at a whiskey glass thoughtfully. “I suppose you’re only noticing now because we have never been as close as you are with Bruce. Of course I don’t know how close that truly is so this is mostly me speculating. Also, I do hope I’m not as difficult to understand as he is. I can usually follow his track of mind, but not so much the reasons for his personal decisions,” Tim explains, voice lowering to a soft tone as he doesn’t want Zee’s frantic staff to overhear their conversation. “Take his relationship with Ollie and Kate. I understand the longing for affection and family, but what made him choose two and not one? I’m still not clear on that,” he mumbles, raising the glass into the light. With no spots left, he moves on to a wine glass.

Zee takes a seat at the table Tim is busying himself around, watching him carefully as he polishes the glasses about the table in a manner that is more Alfred than Bruce, although the thoroughness of it all did read like his adoptive father, “That’s probably right, an accurate speculation,” she laughs, “No you are more articulate I think. Although I don’t know…you get sort of that rewarding feeling when you accomplish a successful conversation with him, following along with his unsaid thoughts. That’s how I feel at least.” Zee glances over to her rushing staff, now nearly done with lighting the last remaining tree, but still frantic over snowmen placement. They’d figure it out in time, she’s not worried yet, “I think the choice of two instead of one can simply be chalked up to love is strange. Like…why on earth do I feel the need to explore with other people when I know I could be perfectly satisfied with Kyle? There’s no explanation, just…gut feelings. And if you’re brave enough you go for it.”

Tim smiles slightly at the compliment. At least, he takes it as such. He’s not an open book and is fine with that. The circling motion of cloth on glass continues endlessly as Tim takes in Zee’s perspective and he must say he is intriqued by it. “He is always a few steps ahead. That’s why it is often difficult to understand where he is and where he’s going. To figure that out or to cut him to the chase, yes, I know that.. rewarding feeling.” To make him proud, to show him what he has been taught. Fatherly affection, love. Love is strange. Strange will never be one of its definitions as noted in a dictionary, but he agrees that it is a suitable word. “So when your intuition tells you to, let’s say, commit adultery, then you’re brave for doing so?” Tim asks with one eyebrow raised and obviously not convinced.

"These situations, and how I feel and how I think your father feels is not adulterous in my opinion. If everyone has an understanding, then there’s no faith to be broken, Tim." Zee smacks her lips together, trying not to get upset to the point of going on the full defense of her- and to an extent Bruce’s- feelings, "As far as I’m aware in your father’s situation- everyone is in agreement for a majority of the time. In my situation it’s the same. Kyle’s aware and supportive of my feelings, even if I haven’t acted on them yet. I’m not trying to break his heart, or his trust in me. I’m just trying to be honest with myself. And if you have paid any attention to how Bruce is with the both of them I think you should have seen how much care and attention and faith is put into what they have. I think it’s brave to follow your heart wherever it leads, Tim."

Tim understands by observing Zee’s body language that he has upset her. Good, he thinks even as he lowers the glass and folds the cloth. He considers apologizing, knows he has no right to question her decisions or anyone else’s but his own. “It’s hard to pay attention to someone if you hardly see them,” Tim says instead and even to his own ears it sounds like an excuse. An excuse for what, he wonders inwardly while directing his gaze elsewhere. Care, attention, faith. All things he often convinces himself of he doesn’t need, at least not to resume existing. For a moment he wonders if he is simply jealous. Everyone sharing their pasts, memories, secrets, intimacy. His mind jumps to Kyle and the fluttery feeling he used to experience in his chest. If he had been braver perhaps he could have shared all of that with him. Instead he kept to himself, not wanting to possibly cause friction between Kyle and Zee. “Is that so? Well. Perhaps I’m not as brave as everyone else.”

Zee rolls her eyes at Tim, “I don’t think you’ve seen all of them when things are good. You’re not getting a sense of how things work for them at all,” and to Zee, this sounds like an excuse, a defense of something that she really has no say to defend. It’s just three people- three close friends who she wants to see happy. For now, the happy she envisions for the three of them includes their current relationship and she doesn’t want it to fail, just as she doesn’t want her own relationship with Kyle to crash and burn for her own desires outside of it, “I think so. I do,” Zee’s gaze to Tim is hard, “I didn’t know you were interested in anyone, so really I can’t say for sure if you’re brave or what.”

Tim counters the roll of her eyes with a roll of his own. But he sees an opportunity to lighten the mood that has taken hold of them and wipes his hands removing invisible dust. “A gala is the perfect place to see how things work for them then. I do expect them to be here eventually.” Tim checks his watch, purses his lips and suppresses a sigh. It might take a bit longer than expected. He shouldn’t have come this early. Of course that means he would have been climbing the walls at the Manor by now. Zee’s gaze captivates his’ next, showing him he’s not getting out of this so easily. “I was. Interested in someone, that is. It’s in the past now. Only few knew which, I guess, shows how little bravery I have. I am all kinds of brave, but not in this department, believe me.” Perhaps he should have another talk with Ollie about this.

Zee smooths her hand along the tablecloth, “Maybe once all the civilians are gone, yes. You might get a better idea of the three of them then. Because you know as well as I do, when it’s not just us they put on their own little act.” Zee notices Tim checking his watch, and can’t help but let out a soft giggle, “You know you’re here so early you’re going to get to see the entire stages I’ll be going through to get ready. I’m only on step one here.” At Tim’s confession, Zee’s brow raises curiously, “You were, but are not interested any longer. Interesting. So, if only a few knew did your person of interest ever find out?”

Tim knows the difference between Bruce and Brucie. He also knows Ollie doesn’t actually change his attitude much around civillains. Kate however is still a mystery to him. It will be interesting to observe her if she shows tonight. Tim lowers his arm, brows knotting in a pinched expression. “This is step one? How many are there? You don’t have that much longer.” The pitch of his voice is higher than he wants it to be. Punctuality, is all. Tim rubs a hand across his forehead, pinches the bridge of his nose and admits defeat when taking a chair and joining Zee at her side. “I told the person afterwards. It happened by accident, but I suppose it’s for the best. They took it better than expected,” he tells her cautiously.

"It’s like four more steps don’t panic for me here, Tim." she smiles, "I need to get my hair finished, make my makeup done- like literally I have no makeup on right now, I need to get into my gown, and then throw on any shoes and accessories…plus any last minute touch ups. Then I’m in the clear. Not so terrible, just a little time consuming." Just as she finishes telling Tim of her remaining steps, her assistant William arrives, telling Zee softly that her curlers have been in long enough, and that her dress an makeup artist have arrived and are waiting for her. Zee takes Tim’s hand, pulling him up from his seat to bring him along with her, as she’s still very interested in Tim’s small chance at romance, "C’mon let’s experience girl world together while you tell me all about this."

Tim manages to grab his jacket before Zee drags him off to a private room to get Zee ready for the gala. All pampered up. “Steph made me experience girl world enough as it is,” he complains softly, not truly bothered that they are continuing in a more private area. The make-upartist moves around him like a hurricane, grabbing brushes and motioning widely for him to step aside and for Zee to take a seat in front of the large mirror. Tim himself leans against the wall to their side, staying away from the powders and curlers. With his arms crossed, he contemplates what to tell her and if it’s wise to confess Kyle’s name. Will she appreciate the bravery of the relevation, Tim wonders. “It happened several months ago. My infatuation. I’m not one to act on it and didn’t want to which is why only few people knew. This person is still taken and things came to light, things that convinced my mind and.. my heart that it’s best not to linger.”

"Oh they’re taken? Shit." Zee perks up in her chair, although still trying to remain still as her makeup and hair are quickly worked on, "So, something came up that made you realize that waiting around for this person wasn’t going to work? Am I understanding this correctly?" drumming her nails agains the arms of her chair, Zee consider’s Tim’s options, and if she could give any advice to further him along, "Have you tried to see if there’s anyone else out there that could interest you in the same way. I mean, I hated rebounding, but sometimes it sort of helps give you some distance to get over that heartbreaking feeling."

Tim inhales deeply and takes Zee’s suggestion into consideration. Ollie did tell him to have a one-night-stand or two, despite his horrible experiences in the past. Even if he would though, who is there he would feel secure with, especially after the current events. It is somewhat a miracle he didn’t flinch and made a run for it the moment Zee touched him. He has come a long way, but fears it still might be too soon. “There aren’t many single candidates, or candidates at all, actually..”

"Unfortunatly, you’re right. Most people in our circle are a little too paired up…aren’t they. Which is maybe why for this you’ve got to branch out a bit…I would offer to set you up on a blind date or two with some of my nicest single staff members-At least if I thought that could help, but you don’t quite seem so keen. So, I’ll hold off on that little plan unless you change your mind." Zee’s makeup artist turns Zee to face Tim directly, he smiles, looking for Tim’s approval of his work a little flirtatiously.

Tim tenses slightly when they both face him. He didn’t know Zee’s aware of his preference. Most of their circle only know of his past with Steph and several other girls during his Robin career. Perhaps it’s magic, perhaps it’s that gut feeling Zee seems so fond of. Tim forces a closed lip smile on his face in responds to the penetrative, suggestive look of the makeup artist. Too eager, too soon. “Thank you for the offer, but blind dates are not my style,” Tim declines politely, shifting his weight against the wall. “You look like a celebrity, which I guess is what you are, with your magic shows and all. It suits you.” His smile changes into a more natural one, kinder, softer, as he looks her over.

"You know, blind dates weren’t ever my style either. I guess I just always want them to work like in the movies. You walk in and there that person is waiting for you and there’s the big wow moment of this actually ISN’T going to suck. You know what I’m talking about?" Zee notices Tim’s closed off smile, turning up to see her makeup artist making his typical flirtatious advances on anyone she introduced him to. She probably should’ve been more aware of that considering her conversation, "I look like a celebrity, well. I think that means I’m all done here! Thank you, Jin." At that, the makeup artist takes his leave, allowing Zee a chance to apologize for him, "I’m sorry, I should’ve warned you about that." she grins back at Tim, "He’s a massive flirt, fun…but totally trouble."

Tim doesn’t respond until Jin has left. “I’m trying not to have too many expectations. They lead to disappointment and are usually matters I can’t control which, in my case, adds to my frustration. So, yes, I know what you’re talking about and I rather not take the chance. I may have a good poker face, but that doesn’t mean I enjoy using it.” Tim rolls down his sleeves and puts his jacket back on, fingers working on all the buttons. He strokes the top of Bruce’s tie, admiring the smooth texture. “You don’t need to apologize. This might not surprise you but I am a horrible flirt and I have enough trouble as it is. Thank you for..” Tim motions with one hand, not finding the proper words until he sighs. “For not dwelling, I suppose. I know I upset you by taking your words in question back there and it was rude of me to do so. I apologize.”

"You know you don’t have to be flirtatious to be a flirt. You just have to be yourself- and now I sound like a Disney movie. Fantastic." Zee groans, pushing herself out of her chair to find the garrment bag her gown had been put into, "I’m sorry too, I kind of snapped at you back there. I guess, I don’t know. It’s like I still don’t even know quite what I’m doing and I’m still questioning myself, no matter how confident I seem. So having someone questioning it…it stings a bit." Finally her dress it located, and Zee gathers it up in her arms, "Maybe what I don’t understand either is you questioning Bruce’s relationship with Ollie and Kate. Does he not seem happy to you?"

Tim smiles slightly. “I just have to be my broody self, I’m sure everything will be fine. Who needs flirting. I’m a wallflower, but that’s alright,” Tim says watching Zee rummage through her stuff. He pockets his hands, worrying his lower lip between his teeth. “Like I said: it’s difficult when you hardly see them. I have met Kate only on a few occassions.. Seeing Bruce happy is.. I want to see him happy moreoften, but I don’t. I know it’s not because he doesn’t feel happy when I’m around, I know he tries, but.. I just.. don’t see it. I see Ollie being there for him through bad times, not to cheer him up but to stand by him, you know? I’m not involved. He’s my father but I know nothing of his relationship with Ollie and Kate — who are, if you think about — on their way to becoming my father and mother? It’s just..” Tim brings a hand to his head, holding it with a troubled expression. “It’s something I don’t understand and something I don’t know how to deal with.” Jake Drake and Bruce Wayne, now possibly joined by Oliver Queen? How many fathers or mothers does it take?

Kyle shows up early, feeling a little strange and yet somewhat elated. Arriving early because his lady is in charge of the organization seems sooooo important and behind-the-scenesy. Arriving early also means he’s seeing everything in its unfinished stages, and that makes him feel a bit out of place. Not being part of the work crew, just a really really early guest. By now he knows to make his way to the back of gala room, where people are rushing around with extra decorations, libations, stemware, food supplies and more. He can hear Zee’s voice floating out in a private area a few paces away, and Kyle ‘excuse me’ and ‘pardon me’ his way through the workers, until he sees her and gleefully exclaims, “Hey!” He looks over to who she is talking to, not hiding his surprise when he sees Tim. “Hey!” he says, a little more sedately.

"I don’t think they’re trying to become your parents, actually…just. Some weird blobbish version of family with all the support and annoying tendencies, and less of the role assigning. You’ll see Kate more I think…although she can feel a bit behind the scenes sometimes I guess. She’s maybe a wallflower too." Zee turns, absolutely beaming at Kyle’s sudden arrival she doesn’t even notice his quieter greeting for Tim, "Hey yourself! We’re going to be playing the no touching tango again for a tiny bit since my hair and makeup just got made up- so I hope you’re up for it."

Tim is surprised to hear Kyle’s voice, but also takes this moment to back away from the talk about his father’s relationship. He is glad now to not have told Zee the name of his prior infatuation. Poker face on until you’re truly calm, Tim tell himself, giving a kind smile. “Hi Kyle. You’re.. early,” Tim says realizing he has been present for quite a bit longer.

Kyle grins. “I’m way early. But you’re hella early, Timsters - what is this? Getting in your volunteer hours for your college application?” Kyle actually, now, isn’t quite sure if Tim is already in college, and so he makes a silly face and then holds up a container of watermelon. “I was in LA,” he says by way of explanation to Zee. “Figured you might need a snack, if your entourage hasn’t made sure to keep you all fed and watered.” Kyle leans into Zee for a kiss, until her warning. “Ah well. There’re plenty of other places I can kiss…ah…” He clears his throat in a comedic fashion, tugging at his starched collar as he looks over at Tim again. He lifts the container up. “Watermelon! To share, c’mon, have a chunk.”

Tim isn’t certain how to react to Kyle and Zee’s public display of affection. He offers another smile at the sound of watermelon and let’s the college joke go, because explaining his drop out issue isn’t high on his list tonight. “I’m always punctual, I have a reputation to uphold. Watermelon sounds great, thanks for sharing.”

Zee rolls her eyes with good humor, and gives Kyle an air kiss to tide him over, “Actually they’ve been slacking on snacks! I’m disappointed in them, but whatever you’re making up for it.” Zee takes a hunk of watermelon for herself, eating it quickly without dribbling on her face or on the plastic garment bag holding her gown (a real work of magic there), “I need to get changed super quick…I’m sure you two can keep each other company for like, five minutes?” With that Zee slinks out into a separate closed off room for her quick-change.

"Sure thing," Kyle says easily and then comes around to where Tim is, selecting a chunk of melon for himself as well. Unlike Zee’s deftness, Kyle gets juice on his suit jacket, but he quickly brushes it off and pretends he didn’t just mess up his suit. He grins teasingly at Tim and points at him. "I know why you’re here right now. It’s that whole ‘if I get here early while nobody’s here and help out a bit, then I can leave early when everyone gets here and it’s all loud and champagne caviar talk’. It’s some smart thinking, Tim."

Tim takes the watermelon part, following Zee with his eyes until she has left. After a careful bite, he glances at Kyle’s overly cheerful self, unable to mirror what he thinks to be is extra holiday spirit. His conversation with Zee about bravery echoes in his mind. He should try to be a bit braver, yes. “I’m here early to count all the windows and doors, all the possible exits in case my mind decides too many people in one room causes too much pressure and I need a quick way out.” Tim takes another bite after that one, licking his lips. “I happen to like champagne and caviar,” he adds idly.

Kyle nods, half-laughing but trying not to. “Ah…that makes sense.” Steph can take Kyle’s good-natured teasing about ‘oh you fastidious Bats’, but he isn’t sure anymore if Tim can. Everything’s gotten so melancholy about the poor kid since the Joker took him, and it really is just the saddest thing. Kids taken in their prime, when they should be experiencing all sorts of youthful joys and failures; and instead making everything about grown-up decisions and overwhelming trauma. “Caviar, really? What about…oh what’s that other thing rich people eat…the thing that’s goose liver mush? Pâté? Foie gras?” He pronounces it obnoxiously American: foy graz.10:16 PM

Tim doesn’t expect the laugh but doesn’t react on it. He has made his point and takes another bite just to have something to do. “Foie gras, yes,” Tim repeats but with proper pronunciation. “Not very tasteful in my opinion. Alfred does a fine job though. I mostly eat it out of politeness.” Although he isn’t certain why he gives extra information, he hopes it will fill the few minutes Zee needs (please let it be a few) to get ready and join them once more. Quietly he munches, staring at the door where she left.

"Oh. Uh. Right…" Kyle subsides himself into silence, looking around. He takes a few steps back. "I’ll - I should." He puts the watermelon down on Zee’s dressing table, following Tim’s eyes where he’s looking to where Zee’s disappeared to change. "Well, I’ll be back soon. I just gotta…get something out of the car."

Tim finishes his fruity treat steadily even if he frowns and wonders if Kyle really came by car and not just flying here in GL gear. “If this makes you uncomfortable, this is going to be a long night,” Tim tells him as he goes.

“Me uncomfortable? I’ve been in way worse. But…” Kyle turns around, looking at Tim as he rubs the back of his neck vigorously. “Look Tim. I like you, I think you’re a great guy. I care about your comfort. So the last thing I wanna do is bother you and you look bothered by my presence. I mean…you are, aren’t you?” Kyle holds up his hand and shakes his head. “Wait - No, never mind, you don’t have to answer that. I’m sorry. Look, don’t worry about it. I’ll just go hang out with the…flowers.”

Tim dumps the peel in the trash, patting his mouth with the back of his hand before looking at Kyle. Zee is right. Be brave, Tim, be honest to yourself. “No, I will answer. You don’t have to apologize and you don’t have to avoid me. I told you to find a way around that option,” he says balling his fists. “But.. truth be told? I am bothered by everyone. The thought of that room, as spacious as it is, being filled with hundreds of people, of which 99% I don’t know, is making me want to turn around and run away like a dog with its tail between its legs. I am bothered by my own family for wanting to comfort me and I am grateful that they do, but I don’t seem able to receive it. Not the way I want it to.” Tim opens his hands looking down at them a tad helplessly. “I’m here because I want to be, I need to in order to fix this. I came early to memorize the exits so.. if I get a panic attack, I can go and not be a bother.”

Kyle stares at Tim, eyes round as he listens to Tim talk. He slowly removes his hand from the back of his neck, shoulders relaxing. Kyle doesn’t seem on the verge of leaving anymore and in fact comes back into the room. “Well…okay then. That’s, that’s good to know. Okay, dude.” Kyle says, accepting Tim’s thoughts for what they are. He offers no solutions because Tim doesn’t need any - the kid knows his own self and Kyle has a lot of respect for that. Instead, he meanders back over to Zee’s dressing table and leans against it, half-sitting. “You look really nice, all dapper and stuff. Like you belong here and all fancy. Y’know I’ll never know how people do that? Look normal most of the time but then when they need to they suddenly look all fancy? Like the rich people you see on TV, y’know? Heh…I still feel like a monkey in a suit, honestly.”

Zee spills out of the side room, her grey gown swishing around her as she zips around trying to find something, “I forgot my shoes!” she wails softly, among a pile of bags. She looks up at Kyle and Tim for help, but she takes notice of the both of them in their suits instead. Momentarily her shoes are forgotten as she spots the obvious difference in the one who has dressed in a tux countless times, and the one who is entirely foreign to it, “Kyle your tie is twisted funny.”

Tim folds his arms over his chest, whipping bangs out of his eyes. Kyle’s calm responds sooths him, makes him feel like it is all that can be done and that it is enough, for now. Good, because Tim doesn’t know a quicker way to recover and brooding in the Manor will not help at all. “All you need is confidence and you will look fine in anything,” Tim says, brushing his fingers over his jacket. “That’s what my father used to say. The.. biological one. Quality material does help though. I often use Bruce’s ties for occasions such as galas,” he adds in a gentler manner before Zee enters. He looks over at Kyle, taking him in for the first time since he arrived. A small smile shows on his face. “I can show you how to tie it properly,” Tim suggests.

"I saw five pairs of shoes on a shoe tree down the hallway, Zee," Kyle says and then holds his crooked bowtie, craning his neck painfully to try and look at himself in the mirror. "Ayyyy, pinche tie madre de dios—" Kyle pulls at a corner, and the thing completely unfurls. "This tie is - this suit is pretty quality material. I know that because Zee bought it. Unless she was trying to make me look like a schlub in order to make herself look even more like a jewel…” Kyle smiles over at Zee, pinching at her hip as he passes by her to come closer to Tim. He pulls the tie off his neck completely and holds it up at the younger man. “Okay, chico rico. Show me how it’s done. Zee’s tried to show me but her fingers are so fast…” She used to tie her father’s ties, after all. A fond memory, and one Kyle liked hearing about.

Zee smiles, “You do not look like a schlub, you just need help getting in the suit is all. A little polish,” she winks at Tim, “I’m sure you can help him pull it off.” Zee peeks out of the room, calling down someone from her team to bring her the silver sparkle pumps she’d selected specifically for her dress, “My Dad was also hopeless with ties. Lucky for him, he had me.”Tim takes the tie with blinking eyes, not having thought Kyle would agree to let him do the job while Zee is in the room. For a moment he merely holds the material, looking down at it and at Kyle’s shoes, so close to his. After taking a deep breath, Tim lifts his head and swings the tie around Kyle’s neck, sliding his hands along the fabric to the front. “I will teach you the half Windsor knot. It is symmetrical and goes with any shirt and thus any occasion,” he explains, “Start with the wide end of your necktie on the right, extending twelve inches exactly, remember this, twelve, below the narrow end on the left.” He continues step for step, eyes on the knot and tie until he’s done. Satisfied, he glances at Zee with a small smile and then looks up at Kyle to see if he understood any of it.

"Twelve, right rightright….wait. Narrow end? There’s a narrow end?? Ayyyyy no, I’m already lost." Kyle looks at Tim’s finished work in the mirror though, and clicks his tongue behind his teeth in approval. He turns as well to Zee, holding his arms out as he gives her a slow spin for her approval. "But it looks great! And maybe I can’t learn to tie a tie, but what’s more valuable is having lotsa friends who know how to tie a tie, hey? Oh, the cleverness of me. Gracias, Tim.”

Zee nabs her pumps from her staff member, before popping back into the room, looking over Kyle approvingly, “Straighten out your jacket and then you’re perfect.” Zee slides on her shoes, and locates a sizable box with a perfect set of earring, a bracelet, and a necklace that compliment her shoes, “I’m going to need someone to clasp my necklace for me.”

Tim sighs deeply, smile growing. He never thought Kyle would learn in one go. “You’re welcome. As long as you show up early for these events, your tie won’t be a problem.” After that he pockets his hands, looking at Kyle to assist his girlfriend. It is becoming easier, he thinks quietly, watching them like this.

"Impeccable," Kyle murmurs as he regards Zee. He looks over at Tim, hands in his pockets, and then comes around behind Zee to clasp her necklace. Kyle squints at it - honestly, young guys may mewl endlessly about bra fasteners; but for Kyle it’s always been necklace clasps that elude his thick fingers. He carefully tries to get the delicate silver open as he glances over Zee’s coif to look at Tim. "Say, tell me something Tim, since you’ve grown up pretty upper class - you ever gotten, like…manicures? Or the other one, for the feet? Pedo..pedocures?"

Zee holds the necklace in place against her collarbone, “Why are you asking about manicures? Are you trying to hint for a spa day because I will totally take you on a spa day…”

Tim shakes his head, frowning curiously. “Do I really strike you as such a guy? Spas and saunas and everything? Sorry to disappoint. I don’t like it when people restrain me for whatever purpose, and I don’t enjoy strangers touching me. As for nails, I keep them short and I wash my hands regularly so my nails are clean.” Tim leans against the wall shaking his head once more.

Kyle laughs, finally getting the necklace to clasp as he pats the back of Zee’s long neck. “No spa day! But you see what I’m dealing with, Tim. Zee loves her spa days and sometimes asks me to tag along…” Kyle takes a step back, smiling even more when one of the catering waitstaff come over with a tray of champagne for them. “You don’t strike me as anything other than extremely clean and tidy. Figures you’d do it all yourself, heh. Anyway- cheers you two. Here’s to a really awesome gala. Free bar means I’m planning on getting smashed, just a warning, sweetheart.”

Zee clinks her flute of champagne against Kyle’s and then Tim’s, “Cheers! And don’t worry, I will totally join you in getting smashed just as soon as the party begins to quiet down. I’ll have William or Mikey or someone more sober than us handle getting us home or something.” she glances over to Tim, “It’s going to be fun…I hope you guys all like the food Ollie and I picked out, it’s not too fancy, but still glamorous enough to feel formal.”

Tim takes a glass of champagne, watching the bubbles rise to the surface and clinks the glass with Zee and Kyle as well. “I’m certain it will be a great gala, Zee. Don’t worry too much and enjoy, cheers,” Tim says to reassure her. He will of course not get smashed, but free champagne does sound like music to his ears.

Kyle looks around the little back room alcove thingie. “Y’know this isn’t too bad a place, like. If the crowds get too much, you can always come and chill out here. Hey Zee? Like in a rave - this can be the chill out room, with like, the cool jazz with the low low bass. It’s nice and cool and with the dresser lights off I’m sure it can get all dim and dark…” He drains the flute of champagne in one go, motioning to the waiter in the distance with a few short hand motions, to retrieve their empty glasses and keep the booze flowing.

Zee clicks her heels, the last of her things packing themselves away and cleaning up the room, “You’re right…it’s a perfect hideaway.” Zee starts off sipping her champagne before she too downs it all in a large gulp, “If you need somewhere to escape to, but still wanna stay at the party I’d say this is the best spot to go Tim.”

Tim sips his champagne a bit slower and looks around, contemplating. “Thanks, I’ll keep it in mind,” he says nodding in agreement. “I just hope not many will find this room and use it for different purposes later tonight,” Tim adds as he takes another sip.

Kyle snickers, accepting another champagne from the approaching waiter. “Of course the eighteen year old’s brain goes there….” Which is partially true; Kyle is almost surprised and a little disappointed that his brain didn’t go there.

"I can jinx the doorknob," she suggests with a shrug, "Only you would get in here then. Everyone else just forgets where they were going."

Tim snorts slightly. “I have experienced many galas, I know what to expect.” He looks at Zee next. “Magic, the answer to many questions.”

"Does that happen at a lotta galas? Forreal??" Kyle asks, intrigued. He’s about to ask more questions to both Zee and Tim, but he hears some fanfare outside, where the paparazzi has been lurking with their cameras. "Sounds like someone important’s arrived," he guesses.

Tim nods at Kyle, curious about the sudden music as well. “Seems like your guests are arriving. Better get out there to greet them properly,” Tim suggests, motioning for Zee to lead the way.

"Or we can just stay here and play Uno…" Kyle suggests, but he’s already finishing his glass of champagne and smoothing down his jacket, looking over at Tim and then Zee. "You both look guh-reat."

Zee smirks, “It happens enough…” tapping on the doorknob both inside and out is enough to apply the spell, “Okay, the room is your’s Tim.” Fanning out her dress, Zee gears herself up to get ready to do some meet and greet, “Nope we’ve got to go. C’mon Kyle hold my hand, I wanna try and introduce you to a few nice people that are supposed to be here.”

Tim believes Kyle has consumed enough alcohol already, only halfway through his first flute of champagne himself. Of course hearing he looks great does brighten his mood. Tim adjusts his—Bruce’s—tie as he follows Zee and Kyle to see who has arrived.

Ollie had meant to make it to the gala on time so he could keep Zee company, but between one thing and another he’s late. Still, that’s fine for being who he is — the late entrance with a lot of fanfare and bonhomie never goes out of style.

Kate is pretty sure she’s crap at this formal stuff even at the best of times, and this is definitely not the best of times. She fakes it well, if only because she fakes a lot of social stuff well—and right now the main priority is that she is making sure she doesn’t drink too much, like she wants to do.

After an initial round of glad-handing, Ollie makes his way over to Kate, kissing her cheek. “Hey hey,” he says, easily, as they alight at one of the champagne stations. “Got held up doing Green Arrow stuff.”

Kate perches on a barstool, offering her cheek flawlessly to Ollie with a half-quirked smile (because everyone has a camera now). She murmurs, sotto voce, pressing her cheek against his, “You went out before this?” It’s not like she’s surprised, but still.

Ollie shrugs. “City ain’t gonna protect itself,” he says, scratching the side of his bearded chin. “And everybody here knows what my other job is anyhow, so I might as well take advantage of not needing the subterfuge.” Ollie looks Kate over, taking in her dress. “You look great. Not that it’s a surprise.”

"Thanks. So do you," says Kate, and she means it—the heat rises in her cheeks a little, and maybe elsewhere, and maybe she’s gonna cut herself off for a bit. She signals the bar for a Fever Tree lemonade—looks just like booze, fizzes and pops—and not so sweet she’ll guzzle it down. She is trying to figure out how to address the elephant in the room without making it seem like she’s angry with Ollie (she’s not). The lemonade helps, a little, in that the carbonation burns just a bit on her tongue.

Ollie broaches it first, though. “I meant to tell you,” he says, taking a long draught of champagne as he looks around the room. “I just … we had so much other stuff to talk about, I didn’t get to it.”

Lola Banola looks around and spots Zatanna and Tim Drake with some nobody. Coming over, she holds out her arms to Zee with a squeal, as if they’re old sorority sisters. “Zatanna! It’s been forever! Are you hanging out with the Waynes again?” Lola smiles winningly at Tim.

Tim smiles back at Lola, activating his usual persona when he represents the company while wishing he could flee like Kyle is. Lucky man. “Miss Banola, I had no idea you would bestow us with your beauty tonight,” he tells her, waving a waiter over to offer her her own glass of champagne.

"Lola, hi honey!" Zee replies with a paparazzi winning smile, "The Waynes and I have always been close- since when did that stop?" she winks over at Tim, a thank you for calling over the champagne, "I’m so glad you could make it. You’ve been busy this holiday season I’m sure."

Kyle looks vaguely curious as he looks at this - well, she must be a reporter of some sort - zoom over to get all chummy with Zee. He doesn’t mind being unnoticed, because then he gets to look at everyone else. He glances around now that the gala is starting to fill up with very decadent people, the likes of which Kyle hasn’t seen since that last gala thing in Gotham. The one that didn’t go very well. Kyle subconsciously takes a hold of his hand, twisting the Green Lantern ring a few times for comfort. As he gazes around, he finally spots Kate with Queen, and he steps away from Zee to give Kate a hailing motion.

Kate thinks Kyle looks as though he’s both utterly comfortable and utterly uncomfortable in his tux. (It’s a quantum state, like how the Nutrimatic tea in Hitchhiker’s Guide is almost but not quite utterly unlike tea.) “Bruce texted me. I’m not angry, I’m worried,” says Kate to Ollie, waving at Kyle, who’ll take a few minutes to get through the crowd anyway. “I told him it was between him and you. Because it is, really.”

Ollie looks down into his glass. “It’s not anything,” he says. “It was a kiss. A moment of dodgy judgement for both of us.” He licks his lips, grimacing a little. “It happened and that was it. I wasn’t trying to hide anything.”

"I didn’t think you were. It’s just…you’re throwing yourself into things that hurt, that’s why I’m worried.” Kate’s face is turned towards the bar, so only Ollie and the staff can see the faint furrow of her brow before she smooths it out, turning back to the crowd. She doesn’t say that she suspects a bunch of it is her fault, this really isn’t the time. “How’re your ribs healing up?”

"My ribs are fine." Ollie finishes his champagne and twists the stem of the flute between his fingers, the glass spinning with rather alarming speed in that tenuous grip. "Bruce took his belt to me. Did he tell you that part?" He snorts, shaking his head and turning to replace his empty glass with a full one. "Before you go anywhere with that — it was fine. If he hadn’t done it, I probably woulda gone running out to find the nearest fight anyhow. So yeah, I can’t dispute you on it, me doing things that hurt." Ollie looks down at his glass, slightly surprised to find it empty already.

"He didn’t," Kate replies, and it’s a good thing she’s taken a sip of her lemonade because she’s really not sure what her reaction would be otherwise. Part of her finds it incredibly fucked up and part finds it really ridiculously hot, and the two are not contradictory somehow in her head. "I’m guessing you don’t wanna talk about it."

Ollie shrugs one shoulder and turns to Kate, trailing the long tip of his nose against the shell of her ear. “What makes you think I don’t wanna talk about it?” he asks, voice low and gliding. His hand skims the side of her knee where she’s got her legs up on the stool, moving to halfway up her thigh. “If you wanna know, I’ll tell you. Whatever you wanna ask, I’ll tell you. Right here in front’a everybody.”

Kate lets Ollie’s hand settle, can feel the heat in her cheeks again, but she doesn’t take him up on his offer. “I don’t want to hear anything right here in front of everybody,” she replies, leaning in to brush her lips, the edge of her tongue, against his earlobe. “Just you and me, cielo. Probably sober.”

Ollie pulls back again, nodding as he stands straight. “Whatever you like,” he says, and although he glances down at the champagne flutes again — almost magical in how swiftly the arrangement is replenished, even if you didn’t know the hostess of the party — he doesn’t take another one.

"I like you," Kate replies, impulsively, as she finishes her lemonade, just as the required Kyle Rayner gets to them.

Kyle has gotten himself rather lost. Or really, he’s just sort of stationed himself by the food, remembering that he missed dinner. Plus, there are a lot of fascinating people to look at and their conversations are even more fascinating. All about intrigue and affairs and strange rich people politics. No one notices him, because he is no one to notice, and that suits him just fine. He pretends he’s a spy or some sort of undercover person, entertaining himself. But finally he gets his ass to Kate and Queen. “They got pigs in a blanket!”

"Those aren’t pigs in a damn blanket! They’re andouille in puff pastry!" Ollie says.

"They’re…uh…free-ran​ge boar in ermine wraps," Kate says in a conciliatory way, trying not to facepalm but utterly welcoming Kyle’s failure at poshness as a distraction from wanting to do something stupid like fucking Ollie in some side closet. “They’re good,” she adds. “You and Zee made a hell of a meal plan, Ollie.”

Kyle nods, pulling out a couple more from his jacket pocket. “They’re delicious. So’s the champagne. Honestly I was expecting like foy graz….how’d Tim say it…foh-ah grahhhh.”

Kate is about to tell Kyle not to put food in his tux pocket, jfc, it reminds her of Napoleon Dynamite and tater tots, but she’s too busy watching Ollie’s head explode.

Ollie has started banging his fist against his thigh in a solid rhythm. “You know how they make fois gras? They force-feed geese. Ram corn down their gullets so their livers fatten up. Considering Zee’s a vegetarian and I don’t hate geese, we didn’t consider fois gras for the menu.” He stares as Kyle produces food from his pockets. “Rayner, for chrissake! Don’t tote food around like a hobo! There’s plenty to go around!”

Elsewhere, Lola beams when Tim acknowledges her and hugs Zee rather more familiarly than necessary. “Let me tell you,” she says in a conspiratorial tone, “I’ve been so busy following the stories about Bruce having a secret affair with a Biyalian princess, I’ve hardly had time for anything else! But you two, oh, you two! I had no idea you were such good friends!”

Tim’s eyebrows quirk at the sound of the newest gossip. Bruce and a Biyalian princess? Tim spots Kate and Ollie across the room, wondering if they know about the fourth addition to their relationship. Even as he wishes to sigh, he refrains from doing so and chooses to boast about the Wayne-Zatanna friendship with a smile and a chuckle. “Of course we are. Zee has always been a great friend of my father’s so how can I not be?”

Charles Trout III comes up behind Tim, recognizing his voice as he speaks to that gossipy fool. “Timothy? Timothy Drake?” Trout drawls, his Upper East Side accent slow and steady. “Charles, from Brentwood,” he reminds Tim as he holds his hand out to shake. “Been a while since I’ve seen you at one of these.”

Lola’s eyes gleam greedily when yet another society person joins the group.

Tim turns around immediately at the sound of his name, eyes scanning the growing crowd of people until he lies eyes on.. who? “Charles!” he exclaims, surprise anything but faked as he clasps the man’s hand and shakes it. Clammy, uncomfortable. Tim retreats quicker than he wants, pocketing his lightly quivering hand. “How have you been? It’s been a while since the academy. I have been pushing paper at the office, couldn´t afford to have too much fun,” he says with practiced ease.

"A Biyalia princess, are you sure? I’d heard there might be someone but he still hasn’t introduced me yet." Zee laughs sweetly, just playing her part. As Charles joins the group, Zee turns to give him some attention, trying to help Tim feel too overwhelmed right out of the gate, "Was it Charles? I’m Zatanna," she holds out her hand for him, "a pleasure to meet you."

Charles snorts. “You always did love working…” he says, his tone sounding like he is clearly above such mundane things as ‘work’. He looks around the gala. “The West Coast can be so tedious, but there’s nothing like Orange County for the holidays.” He says this as if he assumes Tim is also vacationing in the uber-rich region of California. He looks over at Zee, recognizing her eventually as a performer and his mind puts two things together. Charles takes Zee’s hand and kisses it, giving her an intense, smoky smile. “I’m charmed. I’ve heard your…performances are…legendary.” He gives Tim a significant look, smiling in surprise.

Lola is beside herself with this display of interwoven intimacy. “Are you staying in the OC?” she asks Tim, breathlessly. “Is this where you vacation during the winter?”

Tim nips from his champagne, eyes not leaving Charles as he takes in his speech. Ah, he does remember him now. Never liked him or his attitude. “Yes, I believe working keeps one mindful,” Tim replies, not quite approving of the intensity he sees in Charles eyes as the man turns to Zee. Waiting this one out, Tim does meet Zee’s eyes before answering Lola’s eagerness. “I’m not staying in the OC, as lovely as it is, of course. I have found residence in my father’s mansion after it was.. returned. Sadly my vacations are rare. Working, as always,” Tim explains with a light laugh at his own words to keep her entertained. “What about you, miss Banola? Has the OC captured your ever growing interest?”

"Well, you’ll have to make an effort to see for yourself sometime." Zee bats her lashes at Charles, and turns over her shoulder, trying not to be too distractingly flirtatious in front of Kyle… who is nowhere in sight, "Tim, do you know where Kyle went?" she asks him, "My boyfriend always has a habit of getting away from me." she laughs lightly.

Lola perks up. “Boyfriend??” she repeats, and looks from Zee to Tim, from Tim to Zee. “Don’t tell me you two are…”

Charles scoffs, “Of course they’re not, silly woman.” The look on Charles’ face makes whatever imagined relationship between Tim and Zee seem much more lascivious. He’s convinced that the performer is Tim’s mistress…”An older lady, Timothy, my my. I should have guessed your preferences leaned towards…disciplinary.”​ he murmers, only loud enough for Tim and Zee to hear.

Tim doesn’t mean to choke on the last bit of his drink, but he nearly does when Lola and Charles suggest he’s in a relationship with Zee. He holds up his hands as he coughs a little, quickly leaving his glass on a tray carried by a passing waiter. “No, no, there’s no such thing between Zee and I,” he states. “I have no such preference, Charles,” Tim adds in a likewise murmur to the man. Tim looks around for Kyle. Where is the space monkey when you need him?

Zee shakes her head, laughing, “I won’t tell you that, because it’s not true. Lola are you trying to spread rumors about me? Tim Wayne and I are not together. I came here with Kyle Rayner…who is still missing from me for the moment, but trust me he’s here.” Her gaze is a piercing blue when she turns to Charles, hoping that’s enough to shut him up, but it likely will not be.

"So if Tim isn’t the boyfriend, who is?" Lola latches onto Zee’s arm, cosying up to her. "Who who who? Are you and —" She stops when Zee explains about Kyle, a look of disappointed puzzlement crossing her face. "Oh. Is he an up-and-comer in something?"

"Somewhat. He’s currently a working artist with immeasurable talent. He’s happy where he is honestly, but I can see him doing big things." she tells Lola, "I am absolutely head over heels for him, and we’ve been dating for some time actually. I’m surprised you haven’t heard about the two of us before. Maybe trailing Bruce Wayne has you a little distracted."

Lola looks faintly chastised. “Bruce Wayne is big news,” she says defensively, then follows it up with a fawning, “Oh, not to say that you’re not! I LOVE doing stories on you, Zatanna, they’re always so full of showbiz glitz and glamour and that sordid little edge! Can I meet this artist you’re playing patron to?”

"Of course you can meet him," she turns about the room, still trying to locate Kyle, as she finds- Ollie and, "Oh there he is! Over by Ollie and Kate. Let’s go see if we can reach them to say hello, what do you say Lola?" she waves goodbye over to Charles and Tim who seem to be getting into quite the conversation. Tim seems to be staying afloat just fine. [Txt to Ollie] Try and get Kyle paparazzi presentable. ASAP.

Charles rolls his eyes. “Ugh, please try not to be so boring, Timothy. You’re young, wealthy, good looking….” He looks Tim up and down. “Why do you squander it on bourgeois toiling?”

Tim clenches his jaws, and his smile falters. “Haven’t I always bore you, Charles? I follow in my father’s footsteps and that’s not without actual work. Besides, I don’t see a lady on your arm tonight, Charles?” he retorts, folding his hands on front of him expectantly. “You’re young and even wealthier than I am, surely you have not come alone?”

"I have my pick. I could have that trollop of a performer if I wanted," Trout says arrogantly, motioning in a completely dismissive way towards Zee. "She seems easy enough, look at the way she’s dressed." He says this only for Tim’s ears.

Tim exhales slowly through his nose and decides he is done with this man. “I think you’ll find it wise not to say or even remotely think such a thing of her. She is a close friend of my family,” Tim says turning his body to stand in between Charles and Zee who is taking Lola to meet the others. His eyes turn stern, smiling like he is reeling in a good deal as he balls his hands in the pockets of his pants. “I also think it’s best for you to leave for tonight, Charles. Unless you want me to have a nice long talk with Lola to inform her of your desire for our hostess and the way you see her. Trollop, you say? I will be certain to quote it.” He motions with one hand to the grand entrance, raising an expectant eyebrow. “After you.”

Charles looks shocked at Tim, then thins his eyes, trying to muster some last shred of dignity as he tries to look impressed. He nabs a flute of champagne. “You’re better at this game than I thought, Timothy Drake-Wayne,” he purrs, and then nods, as if considering Tim some sort of new adversary. “I’ll be seeing you back in Gotham. Adieu…”

Tim merely tilts his head towards the entrance, lowering his arm after Charles has said his goodbye. “Pompous prick,” he mutters, watching the man until he has left entirely. Taking a flute as well, he tells the waiter to take Charles Trout off their guest list. After that he ventures to the others, carefully seeking Ollie and Kate’s eyes. “Glad to see you again,” he says with Lola there to use everything they might say against them.

Ollie consults his phone and heaves a long-suffering sigh, showing Zee’s text to Kate. “You do it. I don’t wanna touch him.”

Kyle looks properly chastised about the pate, his face going from surprised to utterly crushed. “Those poor geese…Oh man. Maybe I should be a vegetarian too. Zee’s no longer a vegetarian. I got her to eat meat again. I’m a monster!”

Kate is trying not to die laughing. “No veal either,” she says, licking her lower lip slowly. “Well, rose veal that’s humanely raised, but it’s so hard to get that on this scale for catering…” She pauses, looking at Ollie’s phone before looking up and spotting a small sort of caravan headed their way, one of those utterly repulsive gossip bloggers at the helm. “Oh christ. Kyle, empty your pockets,” she says, and reaches out to fix Kyle’s tie, then his hair. “I swear I’ll buy you all the tortas you want.”

Ollie bites his lips and turns away when Kyle boasts (confesses?) that he’s gotten Zee to “eat meat again”. He manages to pull himself back together by the time Zee and Lola reach them, giving them both a big, dazzling smile.

Kate catches that look on Ollie’s face but doesn’t have a chance to elbow him in the side like she wants to before Zee and That Blogger get to the bar. She’s too busy disposing of the canapes Kyle’s given her and plastering on her own smile.

Lola does her patented squeal/cringing hug thing, coming in to smash herself against Ollie’s chest. She notices Kate and her eyes go wide in delight. “Your wife’s here too! Even with—” Lola looks at Zee, then at Ollie, then at Zee again.

Kate cocks her head slightly, brows lifting just a little at Lola’s comment, but she doesn’t rise to the bait.

Kyle is pleased to be groomed by Kate and by the time Zee and the news lady show up, he looks pristine, if a little greasy around the pockets. But the news lady’s attention is completely on the well-knowns and so Kyle cheerily locates and acquires another glass of champagne. He motions over at Tim to come join them, as (what Kyle assumes is) his friend departs.

Zee gives Kyle a warm hug, “You better be ready oh my god I’m so sorry they all followed me. Just watch what you say okay she likes to twist things.” she hisses into his ear before turning back to Lola ready to try and introduce Kyle to the blogger who is still stirring the pot with gossip, dammit, “Lola. I thought we were here to have you meet my boyfriend? This is Kyle.”

Kyle grins, his cheeks and ears all red from the heat of the party, the drinking, and Zee’s hug. He is clutching his glass of champagne as he holds out his other hand - the wrong hand, for shaking. “Oh, whoops, wrong hand,” Kyle chuckles, switching his glass in his hand to hold out his right hand to Lola. “How d’you do?”

Lola lets go of Ollie. “Oh yes BOYFRIEND! Your boyfriend the unknown ARTIST! And you pay him for his …” Lola simpers. “His work?” Lolashakes Kyle’s hand, giving him an upwards sly look.

Kyle grins, shaking Lola’s hand, sure he’s making a great impression. It might be the champagne convincing him of this, though.

Kate smiles at Tim, a real smile, though a small one so not to attract anyone’s attention.

Lola gets herself some champagne too. “So you must not be used to these kinds of parties,” she says to Kyle. “Unless you had a rich and famous patron before Zatanna?…”

Tim returns Kate’s smile. Bruce isn’t here, but it doesn’t stop him from wanting to know Kate better, to understand her part in their relationship. And so he joins her side, watching Ollie as she is, too. “We didn’t really get a chance to talk properly, as we won’t tonight, but.. bits and pieces, I suppose. How have you been?”

"I’ve been—" Kate is conscious that the walls have ears and eyes, and so she says, "Doing better. Getting back into work, you know. Both kinds of work, that is. How about yourself, Tim?"

"Patron?" Kyle looks over a Zee. "She’s not my patron, no no nono nawww. She’s my girlfriend! Your name is Lola? Like El-Oh-El-La Loooola?" Kyle grins at her, putting his arm around Zee. "Lola, can I ask you something? How do you make money, doing what you do? Who pays you to get the scoop? Is it like…a corporate sponsor thing?"

Lola looks charmed that Kyle doesn’t know who she is. “I’m a famous gossip blogger,” she explains. “I have enough sponsors and advertisers on my blog and fans who contribute money that I don’t need to worry about it ever! You must be one of those artists who deliberately doesn’t pay attention to the media, amirite?” She reaches up and squeezes Kyle’s chin, wagging his face and making baby noises at him.

Tim understands Kate is cautious and adds that to the list of her positive traits. Yes, he does keep track of those for many people he isn’t certain what to think of just yet. “I’m in a similar predicament, I think. Steadily increasing work once more, after everything.” He nods, fingers curling around his flute and taking another drink. “I don’t suppose you have any clue when my father will join us?”

Kate can hear what Kyle’s saying, in the distance, and at some point she would be freaking out, but at this stage of the game she’s more interested in letting the blogger have it. “It was a hell of a lot of everything,” Kate says, with a wry smile just for Tim, a momentary flash that he’ll catch and likely most others won’t. “As for Bruce…I’m afraid not, he didn’t say to us either, but you know how his schedule tends to shift at the drop of a hat.” Understatement of the year award, of course.

Kyle tolerates the ootch-kootchie the news lady gives him, a little surprised at being manhandled so much but accepting it as his due. “They have, ah,” Kyle glances over at Ollie and Kate. “Andouille in…ermine coats.”

Lola follows Kyle’s gaze and hers sharpens up as he digests what he says. “Andouille in ermine coats,” she repeats, carefully. “I gotcha. Kyle, you’re not rich, are you? I mean, not rich like they are.”

Tim nods in agreement, saving that topic for another time, another place. He gives a light chuckle at Kate’s description. “I know it very well. Alfred still occasionally scolds him for it,” Tim tells her as a little secret shared between them. Their part of the group seems to be most quiet anyways. “I’d hate to think he won’t show at all however.”

Kate cocks her head slightly at Lola’s last comment, bristling almost visibly.

Tim catches on when hearing Lola’s question, watching her and Kate’s reaction curiously. “Are you alright?” he asks carefully.

"I’m sure he’ll come by, it’s the kind of event he wouldn’t miss stopping by, I don’t think." Unless Bruce wants to call down the wrath of Zatanna alongside Ollie’s epic pouting skills. She clears her throat in response to Tim’s question, and murmurs in an undertone, "It’s so declasse to talk about class in this environment, don’t you think."

Kyle rubs the back of his neck. “Honestly, Lola? I play it up a bit, I mean. I mean…it’s all very decadent, isn’t it? In a good way, because like, like I know Queen and Zee are really conscientious and all that, so I do my part to bring the wide-eyed wonder.” Kyle grins at Lola. “And I mean, what’s more fun than a Gotham elite magician with her eccentric artist guy, amirite? Please tell me you’ll report that I’m complete man-candy. That’s what I’m going for tonight.”

Lola goggles. Literally, her eyes get very very wide and her mouth drops open, and she stares at Kyle for a long time. Finally she says, “…sure. I’ll do that. Man-candy.” She stops clutching on Kyle and looks at him with a little more respect. “Say, what kind of art can you do? Portraits? I always wanted one of me wearing body paint.

Tim swirls the champagne in his glass slowly, lowering his head with a hum. “It is. I kindly requested a former classmate of mine to leave the gala for similiar reasons,” he tells her, glancing at the doors in case he sees Charles luring. “Lola’s.. different however. It’s almost as if she can’t help it,” he explains with difficulty, feeling like she’s a lost sheep simply trying to understand what’s what and who’s who, even if that means asking improper questions.

Kyle can’t help but look Lola up and down, and then he asks, as slyly as she had asked him before, “Full body paint, Lola? Weh-he-hell….” he grins. “You could totally pull it off! I believe in you Lola, really I do. And I take commissions, I’d be totally way happy if you wanted to, ah, hm.” Kyle pats around his inside jacket pocket, first extracting another puff pastry, before finding one of his cards. “kyleraynerart.com, it’s on the card. Look me up, bonita.”1:47 AM

"It’s her job," says Kate, and then she laughs, softly. "But I should talk, being the one whose profession inspired the Bard to say we should all be killed."

Lola stares dizzily at the puff pastry that emerges from Kyle’s pocket along with his card. “You had…” she starts, but has no idea where to go from there. Accepting the slightly pastry-flaked card, Lola dusts it off and puts it in her tiny purse. “You really aren’t like them,” she says. “Where did you and Zatanna findeach other?”

Kate isn’t sure if Kyle’s response to Lola is amazing or horrible or both. Again, it’s like the not-entirely-unlike-tea.​

Tim watches Kate laugh, deciding he likes it even if it is soft and short. “We don’t control who we inspire and how they handle after getting inspired. What they did was not your fault,” Tim says falling silent at the sight of Kyle actually giving Lola his card. “Is it wise to let them continue?” he asks Kate quietly, eyes narrowed.

"By magic," Kyle answers breezily, used by now to giving dodge responses to anything to do with his Lanterness. He follows it up with a question so Lola doesn’t ask anymore, leaning in to make it seem more confidential. "What d’you mean anyway? ‘Like them’? What’s that really mean?"

Kate cocks her head a little. “I don’t take on the failings of all those with the job of lawyer, or I’d never get anything done. But sometimes it’s hard to be good when the perceptions are so bad.” She quirks another smile at Tim, this one with dark sparkle to her eyes. “I’d say they should. It might be an excellent learning experience.”

Lola is slightly thrown by Kyle’s forthrightness, perhaps, because she answers without any coy giggles. “I’m used to everybody having a show-face, because they’re rich and they fool around without anybody except us gossip columnists calling them on it, and after a while you can tell what the show-faces are. Even the ones who’re super super good at it.”

Tim purses his lips in thought. Kate sure knows how to sound wise and that glint sure makes him curious, but he has had enough socializing for now. More people are arriving and soon it will become a real hassle to venture from one side to another. Sweat gathers on his brows simply imagining venturing through. Tim finishes his champagne, gives Kate a thankful smile and rises from his seat. “Do tell me what they learnt, I must go for now,” he tells her, waving a quick goodbye in Kyle, Zee and Lola’s direction.

"I will," Kate says with a wink. She nods to Tim as he goes, leaning into Ollie a little.

Ollie finishes his flurry of text conversation with the caterers and pockets his phone, relieved to know that Kyle seems to be the only guest who decided to put appetizers in his pockets.

"Show faces…" Kyle licks his teeth, mulling it over. He waves as Tim makes his speedy exit. "You do like Zatanna, right? I mean, you’d never say anything bad about her. Right, Lola?"

Lola gets that canny look again. “Being on my blog’s never done anything but bump her popularity, Kyle. Whether it’s good or bad.”

Kate wonders if Kyle is using his ring to navigate this whole minefield of gossip blogging. She leans her head on Ollie’s shoulder a little, gently.

Kyle looks pleased and relieved. “Oh good, okay. Cause, you know, she likes you, Lola. I like you too.” He grabs a couple passing glasses of champagne. “To Zee!”

Lola can’t really say anything about this, so she accepts the champagne and toasts along with Kyle.

Ollie grunts. “Well, he’ll be on her blog as ‘Zatanna Zatara’s New Beard” by tomorrow.”

"Close enough to man-candy," Kate replies in a murmur, trying not to sound too amused by this and failing miserably at that.

Kyle drains his glass, and points out Cameron Diaz to Lola, who’s just made her grand entrance to the gala. He offers to take Lola’s glass before she rushes over to the actor.

Zee heads over to Ollie after tending to a minor socialite’s tantrum, “What’d I miss?”

Ollie gestures at Kyle with the canape he’s holding. “Just your boytoy spinning Lola around in a circle so fast she’s gonna take up a second job as a dreidel.”

Lola decamps to squeal/cringe-hug at Cammy Diaz, who does the same thing right back and it’s a godawful mess.

Kate winces at the squealhugairkisses process, and cocks her head a little in response to Zee. “What Ollie said. Not sure how the hell he did it, but he did.”

Kyle struts over to them when he sees Zee return. “I’m man-candy,” he boasts proudly, smoothing down the pomaded sides of his hair. He gives Zee a kiss. “Crises averted for you? Timster went on home, too much noise and the smell of really hot Chanel No 5, I think.”

Ollie wrinkles his nose. “Hot Chanel No 5,” he repeats. “Christ. That’s really accurate.” He looks at Kate. “Howcome I never realized that was the smell of these shindigs?”

Zee beams at Kyle, cheering, “You did it? You did it!” she returns his kiss gladly- the evening long enough that she didn’t care how her lipstick looked, “Aw, that’s too bad I missed Tim, but I hope what he got out of the party was good…”

"You probably learned to tune it out," Kate says, and her brow furrows as she realises that yeah, it is really damn accurate. “Kinda nauseating, actually, now that I think about it.”