not_a_wonder | A Philanthropic Appeal

Vanessa Kapatelis is not a woman to give up easily.

Perhaps that's what the people at the Wayne Foundation were hoping for, when they informed her in no uncertain terms that their donations budget was set and none of them had the authority to increase the amounts. Perhaps that's what the secretaries at Wayne Enterprises were hoping for, as she worked her way up the corporate ladder in an elaborate game of phone tag, looking for someone to speak to regarding the Wayne Foundation and the shortfall that social services would be dealing with this year.

When an Amazon fights, she identifies the best place to strike, and goes for that first. When slaying a monster, you don't hack at its feet -- you aim for the head.

This wasn't a monster or a physical fight, but the principles could still apply. Aim for the head -- that's why Nessie drove out of the city proper on her day off, looking as put together and professional as she could, and headed up to the most exclusive neighborhood still considered part of Gotham. Her destination -- Wayne Manor, ancestral home of the Wayne Family, currently housing (most of) the children of Bruce Wayne. It wasn't very likely that she'd get a chance to speak with the acting head of Wayne Enterprises, but she had a presentation to give, or at least the materials to drop off.

Emmy Rossum, in a black shirt and yellow blazer, with her hair up

Emmy Rossum, in a black shirt and yellow blazer, with her hair up

Vanessa spent what remained of her downtime, after all those calls, to put the presentation together. It was a collection of the financial data for her department and information on the ongoing opioid crisis -- she even used the color printer in her own apartment and put it together in a slim, sturdy binder with plastic sleeves for the pages. And if she could make a good impression on whoever she spoke with, it could get passed on to Timothy Drake-Wayne with a good word for the social services department.

(She hadn't forgotten her initial reason for wanting a way into Wayne Manor. But her visit had to look legitimate, and the looming trouble of ongoing fallout from the widespread malpractice of the nineties was definitely real. She had to treat it with all the seriousness it deserved, for its own sake as well as making sure that she appeared to have no ulterior motives for entering the manor.)

Nessie parked her car a short distance from the drive leading up to the manor. It was out of the way enough that she wouldn't block anyone else trying to get in, and shaded by a tree. She picked up her handbag and tucked her presentation binder under one arm, then locked up the car and walked away.

The walk up the drive was pretty long -- the rich enjoy their privacy -- but she'd walked further and in worse conditions while wearing heels before. She was determined. Finally, she made it to the main gate and pushed the button that would alert the house beyond that a visitor had arrived.

The low, grating buzz set her nerves going, and in the silence that followed, Nessie allowed herself a moment to worry about a bad outcome to this visit.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

soldier_on_undaunted

"Miss Kapatelis!" Alfred says as he opens the door, appearing ever-so-slightly frazzled himself. "Welcome back. Please, come inside."

From:

not_a_wonder

"I apologize for my lateness, Mr. Pennyworth. The traffic was awful coming up here." She glances around the foyer -- it's the same as it was on her first visit, save the large dog seated at the foot of the stairs.

Aside from the animal, Alfred is the only one here to meet her. Nessie looks confused by that.

From:

soldier_on_undaunted

"Oh, it's quite all right," Alfred says. "I'm afraid Master Tim has been, ah, delayed by the same traffic. Apparently there is something of an incident uptown. We're terribly sorry to leave you waiting."

Not that Alfred knows Nessie knows, but it's probably not too hard for her to guess what Tim is really doing at the moment.

Edited Date: 2022-07-31 01:24 am (UTC)

From:

not_a_wonder

She could hazard a guess, but honestly there are so many costumed criminals in Gotham City that she can't narrow the field down by much. She hopes that it's nothing to do with the Red Hoods, since they've been lying low in comparison to other elements of the criminal underground.

As it is, Nessie gives Alfred a small smile. "Well, at least the parlor has comfortable chairs, I suppose." She adjusts the strap of her handbag so that it sits more firmly on her shoulder. "What exactly is the incident, anyway? I've been driving and had no time to check the news app on my phone."

From:

soldier_on_undaunted

"The news is somewhat light on the details," Alfred says. "But I believe it has something to do with a... 'Condiment King'?"

From:

not_a_wonder

"Oh, gods..." Nessie sighs. "Why that man won't start up an actual union is beyond me. Restaurant workers could use one."

She glances at Alfred. "I'm surprised that Mr. Drake-Wayne was still in the city to get caught in traffic. When I spoke to his secretary before, she said he's usually off the clock before I am."

From:

soldier_on_undaunted

"Perhaps he believes this is better publicity?" Alfred offers.

"Ah, he does, but he was meeting Masters Dick and Damian for dinner in the city," he says.

From:

not_a_wonder

"Hmm... I suppose, but at some point, without organizing something to improve life in the city, it's all flash and no substance." Now that they're in the parlor, Nessie sets her manila folder on the table again, and takes the same seat as before.

"I see," she replies, and says in a mild tone, "it must have been a very early dinner."

And then, as if on cue, her own empty stomach gives a growl. Nessie folds her hands in her lap and ignores the sound, while silently cursing her busy schedule, and whatever vigilante business has everyone else out of the Manor.

From:

soldier_on_undaunted

"Lunch, dinner... with their schedule, I am glad when they find time to eat at all."

At Nessie's pointed stomach growl, Alfred stands. "Ah, where are my manners? Would you like something to eat, Miss Kapatelis? I could bring out a charcuterie plate, or perhaps some cucumber sandwiches..."

From:

not_a_wonder

"Normally, I'm a little better at staying fed," she says, "but I had a busy day myself. A sandwich would be appreciated..."

She's blushing a little, because it feels rather presumptuous to show up to what is essentially a business meeting and end up being fed like she was on a social call. (Nessie isn't one of those entitled rich folks, as her mother worked hard to make sure they were well off, but she did grow up in one of the more well-to-do neighborhoods in Boston, and the various social rules of high society are familiar to her.)

From:

soldier_on_undaunted

"Not a problem at all," he says, standing. He seems a little relieved to have the distraction from Tim's absence, if anything.

Not long after, he's put down a perhaps slightly overzealous spread for Nessie, including cheese, crackers, olives, dried fruit, sliced meats, cucumber sandwiches, a pot of assam tea, a jar of honey, and a slice of lemon. God only knows how he assembled it all on such short notice.

From:

not_a_wonder

Nessie blinks in surprise at the variety of food she is presented with, but smiles warmly at Alfred. "Thank you very much, sir."

She pours herself a cup of tea, eschewing the lemon and honey for the time being in favor of drinking deeply from the cup and quelling any more sounds from her stomach.

"Will you join me? I always feel awkward eating alone..."

(Though, no matter what he says in reply, she's picking up one of those cucumber sandwiches and taking a small bite.)

From:

soldier_on_undaunted

"Of course," Alfred says, delicately slicing off a piece of brie and laying it atop a cracker. Though he waits for Nessie to serve herself first; he is, after all, the host.

From:

not_a_wonder

[Nessie eats with small bites, taking care to also do so slowly. For one thing, it's rude to stuff one's face, but for another, good food should be savored. And the food is good.]

Your family always seems to be busy, [Nessie says, after a sip of tea.] I suppose that's part of having a large family, though I wouldn't know. It was almost always just my mother and me.

From:

soldier_on_undaunted

Alfred nods. "I was an only child, myself, as was Master Bruce. But after losing his parents so young, I believe he appreciates the value of family, and in particular the importance of being there for children who have lost their own families."

From:

not_a_wonder

"Family is very important," Nessie agrees, "and it's far more than blood."

She dabs at her mouth with one of the provided napkins, and gives Alfred a smile (with politely closed lips, since the state of one's teeth mid-meal is a mystery) "And he certainly decided to grow his family. Is it true what they say? That boys are easier?"

From:

soldier_on_undaunted

Alfred raises an eyebrow. "I beg your pardon?"

From:

not_a_wonder

Nessie blinks at the sudden coolness in Mr. Pennyworth's tone, but keeps her polite smile firmly in place as she says, "My family has been mostly women for most of my life. But I hear other people say that boys are easier to raise. The way my mother talks about what a handful I was, it must be true."

From:

soldier_on_undaunted

"Oh, I see." Alfred's voice becomes a bit less icy. "Master Bruce has adopted only one daughter to his sons, so it is harder to say, but I suppose all I can say is that for as headstrong as she can be, she has given Master Bruce somewhat fewer headaches than his boys by comparison."

From:

not_a_wonder

Nessie pops a date into her mouth, and nods. Once she's finished chewing and swallowing, she comments, "I bet if I mentioned that Bruce Wayne's daughter is more well-behaved than his sons, my mother would probably fire back that she'd like to trade." Nessie laughs.

"I'm sure you know how it is, the arguing between a parent and child. But I know she loves me, even when she gets it into her head that she's gotta be right."

From:

soldier_on_undaunted

Alfred nods. "An experience I have had many times with Master Bruce... and many times with Master Bruce and his children. Not to mention my own differences with my father when I was younger. I suspect it is just the way of the world."

From:

not_a_wonder

"I think you're right," Nessie says, "children have to figure out who they are within the family, and also outside of the family, and that comes with testing boundaries. I'm sure you've seen a lot of pushing of the boundaries in this house, with so many children coming through it over the years."

She runs a finger along the closed edge of her manila folder, reminded again of her purpose for being in the Manor. "Some parents, even when their hearts on in the right place, aren't ready for what a challenge some kids can be."

She's thinking of the children she's helped during her time as a social worker, but Alfred might read something a little more personally relevant to his family in her words.

From:

soldier_on_undaunted

In his hand, Alfred's teacup rattles briefly against the saucer beneath it.

"I... yes," he says, catching himself as he carefully sets the cup down. "Especially with children who have been through so much."