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

[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."

[gothamsheiress]

"Alfred."

[searchingfordistraction]

"Not to worry," Jim assures him, "Miss Wayne has me on a leash. I've been very good."

According to the terms of their agreement, at least.

[gothamsheiress]

Bryce only barely manages not to roll her eyes.

"Jim," she says, just a little sharp, "the bathroom's that way. If you'd rather go back to Milliways now, let me know."

[searchingfordistraction]

He looks in the direction indicated, looks back at her to nod an innocent-looking thank you, then strolls off down the hall.

[gothamsheiress]

Bryce watches him go for about ten seconds before turning back to Alfred.

The conversation that ensues is whispered, tense, and involves the word "criminal" quite a few times. In the end, Bryce finds herself sitting in the living room glowering over the events that have let up to this -- again -- and Alfred finds himself making tea for a criminal mastermind. Neither of them are particularly pleased with the state of affairs.

[searchingfordistraction]

Jim arrives about ten minutes later immaculately clean and dressed in some of Bryce's workout clothes - yoga pants, tank top, and unzipped hoodie sweatshirt, all black. He's not a large man; clothing designed to give Bryce extra space to move is only a little bit tight on him, and the way he carries himself makes it look like a fashion choice.

"Hope you don't mind," he says, taking a seat. "I'll have them laundered and leave them with the Bar."

[gothamsheiress]

Bryce looks up from her contemplation of the skyline and raises her eyebrows.

". . . They suit you," she comments, surprised.

[searchingfordistraction]

"They're well-made," he says. "Versatile. They'd suit anyone who knew how to wear them properly."

Wearing clothing correctly is yet another thing the general populace seems to have difficulty with.

[gothamsheiress]

She can't help pointing out, "They're made for women."

[searchingfordistraction]

Honestly.

"And if I'd started out with that attitude, I'd look like this."

There's a subtle shift - his posture, his body language - and suddenly he looks exactly like a man uncomfortable in his female acquaintance's borrowed clothing.

Then he shrugs it off, continuing,

"A little openmindedness goes a long way."

[gothamsheiress]

"Well, I'm not in a position to argue with you about clothing and how it fits one's gender."

Not when people are still arguing over whether to call the Bat Bat-Man or Bat-Girl.

[searchingfordistraction]

"Certainly not," he says casually. "From what I'm gathered, Bruce outnumbers Bryce by a generous margin in the multiverse."

[gothamsheiress]

"Have you been keeping track?"

[searchingfordistraction]

"Well, I don't have an exact tally," he says, a touch dry, "the whole concept of 'infinite' makes that a bit physically impossible. But I've listened out for more specific references, that sort of thing."

That's technically accurate, if somewhat on the selective side as far as sharing the truth goes.

"Batman is a well-known story on any number of worlds, the Bat not nearly so much."

[gothamsheiress]

She nods. No need to mention the people she's met who know a Bruce Wayne. She's done giving Jim information freely, if she can possibly help it.

"And your adaptation? How well-known is that one?"

[searchingfordistraction]

"Not very," he says, "at least not in Milliways. I've only been recognized from it once."

And considering who it was, he doesn't think that counts.

"It's the name that causes trouble, but no doubt you've had that problem yourself once or twice by now."

[gothamsheiress]

Dry: "A few times. Roberta doesn't tip people off the same way, at least."

Speaking of names causing trouble--

She glances towards the kitchen.

"Alfred would like me to get you out of the house as quickly as possible, incidentally."

[searchingfordistraction]

Jim puts on a disappointed moue.

"Would he? I was really looking forward to that tea. There's no such thing as an American who knows how to make it properly."

[gothamsheiress]

Bryce snorts.

"Stay for tea. He thinks you're a criminal mastermind, or at least consider yourself one, but since you haven't shown any indication of burning this place down yet you're still doing all right."

[searchingfordistraction]

He lets the pout vanish in favor of amusement.

"I don't generally burn things down without good reason."

That may be an effective tactic on the road to becoming a criminal mastermind in Gotham, but in Jim's world it just annoys people.

[gothamsheiress]

It does seem to be a remarkably common theme in Gotham's underworld.

"So what do you do? Besides presumably antagonize some version of Sherlock Holmes."

[searchingfordistraction]

"Oh, I run an international criminal network."

He never said Alfred was wrong.

"It gets tedious now and then, but we all need to pay the bills somehow."

[gothamsheiress]

"Fulfilling work?"