boy_wonder87 (boy_wonder87) wrote,
@ 2010-11-11 14:52:00

Dick wandered into the Bludhaven Hilton Hotel at 9:20am, earlier than he had any logical reason to be for a 10am brunch. It was a habit he had developed in his early years with Batman, a kind of one-upmanship game, where whoever arrived first gained the advantage of the shadows, and attempted to surprise the other. More often than not, Bruce won- but in his later years Dick had evened the odds considerably. He blinked forcefully, a slight tic he used to avoid dwelling on unpleasant memories.

Dick was dressed to the nines- sweater-vest, suit jacket- the whole shebang. Usually he injected more of his personal style to what he wore, but today he wasn't pulling any punches. He found himself unconsciously checking his tie was straight. Though they spoke often on the phone, he hadn't seen Alfred in a long time, and his was perhaps the only person whose approval Dick still sought. The difference with Alfie is, he actually gives his approval. Dick thought.

Under one arm, dick had a small package, wrapped in brown paper. He shifted it from one hand to another, nervously. He judged it to be 9:41:21, and checked his watch to confirm. It was in fact, 9:41:31. Dick wasn't impressed. Damn it, I need to get accurate to within 8 seconds to beat... He didn't finish the thought, instead updating his assessment of the room. Denim Vest is still talking to Perky Receptionist, two new players at the southeast entrance- an Uptight Businessman with a briefcase (looks light from the way he carries it); and --

"Alf-Alfred!" Dick called his face creasing in a wide grin, as he waved to the familiar figure, moving immediately to help him with his bags.

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heroes_gotham
2010-11-11 09:58 pm UTC (link)

Alfred smiles at Richard, moving to greet the younger man happily. He'd noticed how Dick scanned the room, trying to identify everyone he saw and determine if they were a threat or not.

So much like Bruce.

"Master Richard, it's so good to see you!" Alfred said, his crisp British accent distinct among the droning of voices around them.

"How are you, my boy? You're early, as always." Alfred notes.

"How are things here in Bludhaven?" Alfred asks, though he already knows, as Master Bruce keeps tabs on all of his children, whether they're in the cave or on their own.

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boy_wonder87
2010-11-14 08:23 pm UTC (link)

"Early- yeah, its an old habit. I uh, I already gave your room a sweep and its clean of any bugs." He took Alfred's bag, and pointed. As they walked he continued. "Things are good here, they're going really good. Really, really good." He said, emphatically. He hit the number for the top floor, and waited for the doors to close.

"Yeah, yeah um- classes are going really well. Between work and class I've got a lot on my plate- but I mange to keep busy..." he said quietly. With a ding the elevator comes to a stop on the 14th floor. When they exit, Dick has to guide Alfred to the right. "Actually, I had them change your room when I found out it was facing south- I know you like to be able to see the sunrise in the morning." He said, leading Alfie toward the executive suites- rather than the humble room Alfred had booked for himself.

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heroes_gotham
2010-11-16 04:03 am UTC (link)

Alfred noted immediately that they were not headed for the area of the hotel that should have held his room. He knew that Master Richard meant well, but he didn't want the young man going to any trouble on his account.

"You remembered that." Alfred says, following Dick into the room. There wasn't going to be any talking him out of this, so Alfred decided to go along with things until Dick elaborated on /how/ he's been keeping busy.

"You have the same discerning and attention to detail that Bruce has. I see a great deal of him in you, though you've managed to keep a hold of the portions that I wish Bruce used for something other than pretending to be gregarious." Alfred says with a sigh.

"Come now, tell me how you're doing in this city. You look like you could use a decent meal or two. I hope you're not living off that vile...Ramen? Is that what it's called?" Alfred asks, his nose wrinkling just a little as he says the word.

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boy_wonder87
2010-11-17 11:19 pm UTC (link)

Alfred's dry wit had been one of the few respites from the dark life within the Batcave, and it never failed to make Dick laugh. "Hahah. I binged a bit when I was in my first apartment, but then I realized girls love a guy who can cook- and suddenly I remembered all the lessons you gave me over the years." He gave a broad smile.

They came to a room at the end of the hall, and Dick unlocked it with his key. They entered into a large, brightly lit room. The executive suite.

It was lavishly furnished, with large windows that overlooked the city. A table was set against the windows, with place settings for two people. A cart was set next to the table, with an assortment of breakfast foods- croissants, muffins, a platter of bacon, toast, and more. Dick held up a hand. "I know what you're gonna say- but come on. You spend all your time looking after other people, the least you can do is let me treat you while you're in town."

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heroes_gotham
2010-11-18 01:12 am UTC (link)

"Well, it would be a breach of good manners to turn down such a spread." Alfred says, resigning himself to accepting Dick's hospitality.

"However, it would also be a breach of good manners to force me to eat alone. Join me, please?" Alfred requests, entering the room. He sets his bags against a wall and then goes to wash his hands.

"How is your work going, Master Richard?" Alfred asks.

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boy_wonder87
2010-11-18 07:03 am UTC (link)

Dick set the small brown package he had been carrying next to his chosen seat. He then proceeded to pour two cups of tea. "My work...my work is going well, I suppose." He placed one cup of tea at Alfred's seat, and one at his own (making sure Alfred's had two sugars and no milk, just how he liked it).

"I mean, the truth is it's a lot harder juggling a life with this line of work than I'd anticipated. And I mean this city-" he gestured out the window "-I'm all there is out there. I was making some progress, then the housing market collapsed and the recession hit." He shook his head. "There are whole neighborhoods in Northgate and Regent's park that are just foreclosed houses. Blocks and blocks of them. A lot of crimes lead there." Just when he seemed to be getting down, Dick grinned. "No need to worry about property damage at least. You blow up a few empty houses and you get the message across, let me tell you."

setting the small brown package he had been carrying next to his chair.

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heroes_gotham
2010-11-18 02:18 pm UTC (link)

"Your words echo many of the same things Master Bruce would say during his first years of going out into the Gotham night. He marveled at how many areas of the city were touched by crime and corruption in some fashion or another. I don't think he realized, until then, the scope of the task that he'd set for himself." Alfred says, taking up his cup of tea. He sighed in pleasure as he reached Dick had prepared it perfectly, after all this time.

"Granted, the current economic crisis hasn't hit Gotham as hard as most places; Gotham has long had issues with these things, despite the Wayne Foundation's help. I believe there was a shelter here in Bludhaven run by the Martha Wayne Foundation. She often came here, trying to do what she'd done in Gotham for the Arts and to help women make more of themselves. It never quite took the way she wanted, but it never stopped her from trying." Alfred muses, thinking back to days long ago.

"I am glad to see that you maintain your good cheer and optimism in the face of such difficulties, Master Richard." Alfred smiles. "I wish that were more common in this day and age."

Alfred goes back to his tea, not elaborating any further.

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	boy_wonder87 2010-12-01 08:05 pm UTC (link)
	Dick looked at Alfred over his own cup of tea. "That was a hint about Bruce, I take it." Dick wanted to let the subject lay, to prove that he did not need to talk about his mentor if he didn't want to...but his curiosity had been piqued. Alfie knows me too well "Alright, whats wrong? Is he still not not playing well with others?" (Reply to this)(Parent)

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