checking in

[searchingfordistraction]

There's so much to do and see in Gotham, why waste his time tracking down a phone number when Bryce Wayne's penthouse is the most well-known private residence in the city?

The security is also an infinite improvement over some of what he's encountered lately. He examines it from afar for a little before he decides to just do this the polite way.

Well. The relatively polite way. He's not exactly immaculate after three days' wandering. Easier to let himself get spotted openly scoping out the security than to try to talk his way into the building.

Comments

[gothamsheiress]

"The Joker?"

Nobody else has been showing up in the rumor mill on a regular basis. She sounds dubious, though; he's a secondary concern at best at the moment, a joke to the mob.

[searchingfordistraction]

"The Joker," he confirms, looking amused.

He doesn't understand why people don't take full advantage of the information available to them in Milliways, but if she hasn't discovered yet that the Joker is Moriarty to her Holmes, he's not going to be the one to tell her. Not at this delicate stage in her narrative. He's here to watch it play out, not destroy it.

[gothamsheiress]

She shrugs.

"We'll deal with him. He's been showing his face to the cops enough."

[searchingfordistraction]

"As you say," he says agreeably.

[gothamsheiress]

"Want to tell me what I'm not thinking of?"

The answer will probably be no, but she may as well ask.

[searchingfordistraction]

His eyebrows arch in something like a smirk.

"Where do I start?"

That would be a no.

[gothamsheiress]

She snorts.

"Didn't think so."

[searchingfordistraction]

He gives her a brief smile and falls silent.

Even if he were inclined to stomp all over her narrative, he still wouldn't help her. If she can't make better use of the remarkable resources she has at her disposal, she doesn't deserve it.

(His contempt cuts both ways: if the criminals of Gotham can't work out who the Bat is, they don't deserve to know.)

[gothamsheiress]

"Well."

They're nearing the top of the building.

"If you won't answer that question, will you answer a more personal one?"

[searchingfordistraction]

He cocks his head, mildly curious.

"Maybe."

[gothamsheiress]

"What did you get out of Jimmy O'Malley?"

[searchingfordistraction]

"Very little."

He looks slightly aggravated now.

"I'd have made him a bit more interesting if I'd known I'd be stuck with him so long. I thought the Bat would be a bit more perceptive than the average citizen. You've been quite a disappointment."

He shrugs.

"But I have got to see Gotham, so it wasn't a total loss."

[gothamsheiress]

Bryce sighs.

She's used to people thinking Roberta Wayne is an idiot; she's used to people villifying and berating the Bat. It shouldn't sting to hear Jim Moriarty call her a disappointment.

It's just . . . a very effective choice of words.

"I know I said it before, but you're very, very good."

[searchingfordistraction]

"You could be better," he answers.

It's true enough. She could be better. Better than she is, at least. There aren't many people he could, or would, say that of.

[gothamsheiress]

Her eyebrows go up.

"I know. Is that a compliment?"

[searchingfordistraction]

"Statement of fact," he says.

His expression gives nothing away.

[gothamsheiress]

"Duly noted," dryly.

The elevator comes to a stop with a ding, and the doors slide open onto the front hall of the Wayne penthouse. The view of Gotham through the enormous windows, from so high up and in the late afternoon light, is actually picturesque.

"Come in," Bryce says, stepping forward. "You can use the master bath. Would you like anything to drink?"

[gothamscitizens]

A Cockney voice from a little farther into the apartment calls, "Home early, Miss Wayne?"

The voice is followed a moment later by a white-haired butler, who stops and blinks at Jim.

"And with guests, no less. You should have telephoned ahead, Miss Wayne, I'd've put the kettle on."

[searchingfordistraction]

Jim smiles, hands in his pockets, as he steps out of the lift.

"Jim Moriarty," he says, almost blandly. "I'd love a cuppa."

[gothamscitizens]

Alfred's eyebrows snap down in a suspicious frown, and he glances at Bryce.

All he says, though, is "Right you are, Mr. Moriarty. Just get into Gotham, did you?"

[searchingfordistraction]

"I've been in town a few days," he says carelessly, gaze not straying from Alfred. "I needed a holiday."

[gothamscitizens]

"Not exactly a tourist hotspot, this time of year. Enjoying your stay?"

[gothamsheiress]

(Bryce will be over here rubbing her forehead.

And keeping a very close eye on Jim's reactions.)

[searchingfordistraction]

"Immensely."

Jim's body language is entirely at ease, his hands still in his pockets.

"It's been refreshing."

[gothamscitizens]

"I'm sure it has," Alfred says, very dry. "Seems to be quite the destination for some types."