A Philanthropic Appeal

[not_a_wonder]

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.



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.

Comments

[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.

[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.

[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."

[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?"

[soldier_on_undaunted]

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

[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."

[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."

[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."

[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."

[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.

[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."

[not_a_wonder]

"We do the best we can," Nessie muses, "Sometimes I wonder if it's really enough... when the children pay for our shortcomings."

[soldier_on_undaunted]

"I --"

He stands abruptly.

"I believe you're running low on tea, Miss Kapatelis. Allow me to make some more."

[not_a_wonder]

Nessie can't help her reaction of going 'on alert' when Alfred moves so suddenly. She 'jumps' back in her seat, causing the chair to move back from the table, and she tries to cover the startle response by getting to her feet as well.

"Oh, it's n- not necessary!" She exclaims, hating the way her voice shakes a little. "You've done so much already, Mr. Pennyworth, really..."

[soldier_on_undaunted]

"Nonsense, it -- won't take but a moment --"

Alfred's back is already to her as he all but races towards the kitchen.

[not_a_wonder]

Nessie watches him go, hands braced on the table for support. She shakes her head, trying to clear it, and slowly sinks back into her seat. Something's going wrong. She's not sure what she's said or done, but the conversation wasn't meant to go this way.

Her stomach feels unsettled, so she drains the rest of her teacup. He's coming back with more anyway, and maybe letting him be right will ease some of the tension in the room.

Maybe.

[soldier_on_undaunted]

It takes almost ten minutes before Alfred comes back with more tea, looking somewhat more composed again. He refills Nessie's cup with a forced smile.

"I apologize, but I contacted Master Timothy while I was waiting for the kettle," he says. "It seems he may be some time yet."

[not_a_wonder]

"Ah..." her answering smile is a little more timid, and she ventures, "just one of the charms of living in Gotham City, I suppose. I do hope they're all doing all right? You said that Dick and Damian were with Timothy as well?"

[soldier_on_undaunted]

"Yes, they are," Alfred says.

[not_a_wonder]

"I'm glad to hear they're all right. You never know what costumed criminals will do... they're all so unpredictable." She takes a sip from her refreshed tea cup. "I especially worry about Damian."

Nessie means that she worries about the youngest Wayne son because he's the youngest one -- her own experiences as a teenager thrust into danger left their marks, even before Wonder Woman's various enemies decided to use her. Seeing his family under threat won't do any preteen boy any favors when it comes to feeling safe and secure.

But, even given the high likelihood that Alfred knows the context of Nessie's past -- Timothy would definitely do a background check, at least -- is he going to think of that context right now?

[soldier_on_undaunted]

"Miss Kapatelis," Alfred finally says. "Are you building up to saying something?"

[not_a_wonder]

"....Excuse me?" is all that Nessie can get out, startled by the question.

[soldier_on_undaunted]

Alfred folds his hands.

"You may recall," he says, "That we lost one of Master Bruce's children to one of these 'costumed criminals.' Young Master Jason was killed by... in an attack on a refugee camp by the Joker. Collateral damage in a madman's sick game."

[not_a_wonder]

"I am aware." Vanessa replies. The words probably come out cold, because she has to put her emotions under a tight rein.

Even if she were just the usual social worker, she could hardly be unaware. The doings of the Wayne family are often seen as being the business of the whole city, and prime fodder for all sorts of gossip. The unfortunate life and death of Jason Todd is often a topic of discussion, even obliquely, among her coworkers.

[soldier_on_undaunted]

"The current head of your department," Alfred continues, "suspected that Master Bruce himself had... that he had killed his own son."

"I understand that he came with the best of intentions," Alfred continues. "But you cannot imagine the pain of losing a child who means the world to you to an act of senseless violence, to have your life shattered, and then to have to defend yourself from accusations. To have to relive every moment, every aspect of the loss to another's satisfaction."

"Master Bruce was cleared of any wrongdoing," Alfred says. "And we have done our best to move forward with our lives. But if you are here to tear open this wound again..."