Harvey Dent, Gotham's White Knight, is dead, and with him, the hopes of those who believed he could defeat organized crime in Gotham once and for all. The Joker is loose, and while he hasn't been heard from in the last few weeks, city officials believe that it's only a matter of time before he shows his face again. Sociopaths are escaping from Arkham, Batman is a wanted man, and the candidates for the vacated Disctrict Attorney position are too busy mudslinging to get any real planning done. Many are starting to fear that without a leader to take charge, things may slip back into the chaos that existed before... Click here for full version of the plot!
NOMINATIONS!
We still need those nominations, and if nobody nominates anything else, Roj (or Kendall) will have to pick the spotlights, and we all know how much Roj loves herself. ;] Click to cast your nominations!
MALES NEEDED
While it's really not a huge deal now, we would like to nip it in the bud before we get completely overwhelmed by vagina. Please consider making a male character, especially if you already have a female.
IT'S PARTY TIME
Bruce Wayne's Second Thirtieth birthday party is now underway at Wayne Manor, and all are invited to attend!
UPCOMING ELECTIONS Political tension heightens as Gotham nears the date set for the District Attorney election. Candidates are shown to be almost exactly even in preliminary polls.
a well deserved break???[so open] « Thread Started on Jul 30, 2008, 7:22pm »
Katherine gave a heavy sigh as she found a chair in the corner, tucking her legs under her, and burying her nose into a book. It was a sigh of sweet relief. The relief of being away from those psychopaths. And not just her patients...she shook her head as she tried to get lost in the story. She wasn't even sure what book she had picked up. To her, all that mattered was simply that she had picked up a book. She had somewhere to go.
She absentmindedly flipped the pages, finding the part where the story actually began. But her mind was too tangled to escape just yet...she tried once, twice, three times, but all she could see were the files she had spent the past four days redoing. All her patient's screwed up lives flashed before her.
"Damn it!" She said, drawing nasty looks from the librarians as she tossed her book to the side. "Sorry..." She said blushing, slowly picking up the book and returning to her seat, this time remaining straight-backed, legs crossed at the ankles.
Her coworkers were right. Arkham had consumed her mind. But wasn't it for the better? If the well being of Gotham depended on anyone, anything, it was Arkham. It was her. And Arkham was a laughing stock. Meaning she was a laughing stock. Suddenly she felt guilty for thinking about taking a reading break when Arkham was still in dissaray. In a rush to return to work, she stood up and, not looking where she was going, crashed into a book cart, watching in horror as it toppled over...
Re: a well deserved break???[so open] « Reply #1 on Jul 31, 2008, 7:25pm »
This occurs before the events of the 'there's.still.FIRE.in.you.YET' thread, if that's alright.
Nathaniel was on his lunch-break and, like any good employee, was using the time wisely; his fellow interns were all enjoying expensive lunches at exclusive restaurants, but Trip had already eaten his homemade sandwiches and been driven over to the library.
He liked the library, the quiet of it; aside from the rustling of pages and mixed whispers shading his view is eiderdown-grey and gold, it was one of those rare environments that didn’t distract him with colour. He could focus here, easily and without any real effort. An avid reader from an early age, an interest that had been encouraged by his parents, Trip always felt comfortable around books. There was something liberating about opening a new book and leaving the entire world behind him – as a child he used stories to escape the pressure of his father and the regiment of tutors he was barraged with daily. Now, he just liked to read for the sake of reading, to enjoy and indulge in the talents of others.
Running his fingers along the spine of a promising hardback, Trip was stood in the local history section; not too far from where Katherine sat. He had decided to read up on the city, to relive the history of the times before the depression - if one hopes to heal a wound; it is prudent to know everything possible about the patient. He picked up the volume, skimming the blurb which praised the mixed architecture and vibrant past of Gotham – followed by a short quote from the prologue, written by Mayor Robert Garcia. Yet another publicity hook, Trip’s brow creased as he put the book back on the shelf carefully, Nothing escapes politics these days.
He was startled out of his thoughts by the bright glow of a loud comment from the corner of the room, like a flash of indigo lightning. He smiled to himself, amused as the apology for the outburst registered as a softer, paler and rather subdued glow. Trip glanced over at the blonde from which the outburst had arose, recognizing her as the new head of Arkham – he couldn’t remember if he had seen her at a function or simply been informed of her appointment by his father, who was of the firm belief that his son should know about everyone in any shape and size of power. A moment, and he remembered; he had come across her name whilst researching the asylum, which was on his list of civil services to fund – he had been compiling a proposal concerning the asylum, including plans for funding in favour of better security and increased staffing and, of course, fundraisers. Trip was still working on it, but planned to submit copies to his employer and father, respectively.
Not what I imagined… He had pictured a middle-aged woman in a lab coat…of course, she wouldn’t be wearing a lab coat in a library, but it was still a far cry from the spinster he had imagined. Now he was curious about her; who in their right mind would agree to run Arkham? Someone had to do it, and from his research it was obvious that whatever she was doing, it was working – but he doubted it was a job you walked away from easily. He resumed his search for a less-politically minded volume of Gotham’s history
He had just added a promising architecture portfolio to the pile he was carrying, when the sudden upending on the book cart that was only a couple of foot away made him jump; the noise made him start, dropping the books he was holding, and the almost-blinding flashes of primary colours the cacophony arose in him. He grabbed the bookcase for a moment as the colours faded, blinking away the bright spots and stripes. The books he had selected lay on the floor, next to the overturned cart; various history books, a couple of volumes concerned with business practices, photography folios and a slim paperback copy of ‘The Little Prince’ by Antoine de Saint Exupry.
Trip lets the colour fade, then turns and smiles at Katherine, before bending to right the cart, “In a hurry, miss…?” He smiled, replacing some of the books on the stand; it was probably best not to say that he knew her name and other such details…well, not immediately at least.
« Last Edit: Jul 31, 2008, 7:26pm by Trip Taylor »
Re: a well deserved break???[so open] « Reply #2 on Jul 31, 2008, 9:33pm »
"I am so sorry!" She said apologetically, tripping over herself to help pick her mess up. "It's not that it's just...I'm frustrated." She blushed a bit. She was always polite with strangers, used to be incredibly open due to her lack of friends, but now she felt uneasy in public. After all, she was the new face of Arkham, and the last thing she needed was to look like a bumbling idiot. No one would donate to the Asylum then!
"Please excuse me. I just...I'm not normally so absent minded." She paused. "Well, maybe I am when it comes to running into things. But, I mean, I'm really not normally so..." She bit her lip, overcome by the situation. She was still disturbed by the entire situation, first her frustration, her uncharacteristic outburst, turning over the cart, and now someone taking interest in the whole darned situation.
"I'm Katherine Anderson." She said, putting a book away and flashing a smile as she tucked a strand of blonde hair behind her ear. "Are...are these yours?" She asked, hand hovering over a seperat clump of books. Her eyes drank in the titles. Architecture...business...photography...and...The Littile Prince?
She picked up the final title, turning it over.
"Le Petit Prince?" She asked, arching an eyebrow. "In english no less. A children's book sir. Not what I would have guessed a grown man to pick up..." She opened the book, flipping through the pages, chuckling at the young boy's adventure.
"You know it's quite the little obsession in France. Charming, I suppose...."On ne voit bien qu'avec le cœur, l'essentiel est invisible pour les yeux."" She said, quoting her favorite line from the book. "We can not see well except with the heart, the essential is invisible for the eyes. To use a rather direct translation. I believe it's slightly altered in the English version...." She flipped to that famous page to find she was right indeed. Slightly different...still the same.
"I studied French. My major is in psychology, and this book...is what got me interested in French. It's so similar to Latin it wasn't hard. See...I was intrigued by why the French had turned Monsieur Saint-Exupry into such a phenomenon. Why they had taken such a liking to his little book. He was on their currency for some time you know. In the end, I suppose, I had my answer...societies must be reminded that there is still joy and love and laughter to life. Perhaps a 'Little Prince' is all that Gotham needs..." She said soberly, offering the book back to the man with a grim smile.
Re: a well deserved break???[so open] « Reply #3 on Aug 1, 2008, 7:24pm »
He smiled genially, keeping eye contact as her voice coloured his vision in pastel pink and dark blues. The new head of Arkham: ironic, as he was currently trying to secure his father’s approval for funding for the asylum. So far he had been unsuccessful, and was counting on the administration to help him prove that Arkham was worthy of funding, that there would not be a repeat of the Crane incident. It needed structure and a firm administration, but truth be told, it needed money. The security was poor, the rooms were barely up to health standards and it was in desperate need of more staff. With madmen like the Joker appearing in Gotham, the city needed it’s high security facilities to be…well, secure.
Katherine Anderson already had his support, Trip viewed Arkham as a vital asset and for it to make a difference it needed people to subsidize, but he was quite intrigued by her knowledge of his favourite book, The Little Prince. His mother had read it to him when he was a baby; it had been her favourite book as a child as well. As a child, he had enjoyed the story simply because it was sweet and interesting; as an adult, he had come to understand the many nuances and meanings that one could read from it. Now more than ever, the lessons of the slim volume rang true.
Katherine’s thought that ‘a Little Prince was all that Gotham needed’ was admirable, but wrong. One of the truest ideas of the book was that of taming, of taking responsibility through relationships. When the city was built, the people tamed the land and made it theirs; they built a great city… the responsibility is ours to care for it, as the Prince cared for the fox who he tamed and the rose, who had tamed him. Gotham could not wait for a prince or knight to lift itself out of the grave into which it was sinking; it needed its people to take responsibility, to care for it and do what was needed to save it.
Trip smiled at Katherine, placing books back on the cart and his own selection on the table as he answered her. He spoke fluent French with a good accent, the soft vowels making warm orange spirals in his vision, < “Yes, it is a favourite of mine, and anyone who has read it will understand that it is much more than a children’s book.
I believe that the French saw in this book what was missing; people talk of the wisdom of innocence, but we do not treat our children as wise. This book teaches to reject narrow-mindedness, and yet there are still people who are more concerned with themselves, than the world they live in. We are responsible for what we tame, Miss Anderson, even cities…Gotham needs us more than a prince.”>
He took the book from her hand and held out his other to her, slipping back into English easily, “My name is Nathaniel Taylor, but please, call me Trip.” He smiled crookedly, his brown eyes lighting up adorably.
Re: a well deserved break???[so open] « Reply #4 on Aug 1, 2008, 8:29pm »
Katherine's light laughter filled the air, a warm, tinkling sound. The man was...sweet. Kind-hearted. Those brown eyes made her melt, no small feat for the hard-hearted woman.
"Trip? That's an odd nick name. I'm just...Katherine." She thought of her days in school where her friends had called her 'Kat'. A name she loved then, but tired of quickly in the work place. Now she cringed each time someone dropped that one. All she could picture were her college days, the sexual references of a tall, attractive blonde named 'cat'...not the image the new head of Arkham was going for.
"Ah, oui." She said lightly, chuckling again, shyly covering her mouth. "I was referring to why the French had taken to it, not the lesson they should have taken from it. Unfortunately, society often misses the true meanings of books, taking instead the feeling. It's true in all things...feelings, emotions, are read more than words. Or...actions speak louder than words."
She crossed her arms, tilting her head into her shoulder.
"So...Trip? How exactly did you get that nickname, dare I ask?"
The man had her intrigued, it was true. His views were so...relieving. It was wonderful to find someone who believed in responsibility, an idea that had almost completely faded from society.
"You know...it's a rare man these days that supports following through on commitments." She gave another shy smile, dropping her eyes. She normally didn't chat so freely with strangers...but that book, coupled with his comments, his ideas...he seemed so sweet!
Re: a well deserved break???[so open] « Reply #5 on Aug 3, 2008, 5:30pm »
Trip smiled warmly as her laughter coloured his vision with pastel pink sparkles. Her laugh was light, the colour fading quickly from his sight but it made him smile; he didn’t often make people laugh like that, being rather awkward socially and a little too serious. He had a tendency to turn most conversations into the St Crispin’s Day speech, to preach; it wasn’t a trait that won him friends.
He nodded as she spoke about the book; she was right, actions spoke louder. It was a sad fact that, in the city at this time, there were few people willing to act to save it and those that do… Harvey Dent was dead, the Batman was a wanted killer – no one else seemed to have much luck. Trip wasn’t discouraged however; he loved the city and was determined to do all he could. He believed the woman stood in front of him was part of that; Arkham was essential in cleaning up the city – if only the rich would acknowledge it. Wayne Enterprises had its charities and Trip had set up funding for several civil services, but it was just a drop in the desert; it was one of the reasons he had agreed to work at Wayne Tower, to get closer and more involved with the company’s good works, especially the Martha Wayne Foundation. His father thought it would turn his focus away from philanthropy and towards business but Trip had never done what his father expected.
His nickname was something he had tried in vain to use since he was a child; his family insisted on calling him Nathaniel, his contemporaries referring to him as Mr Taylor. He grinned down at Katherine, the gold flecks in his eyes catching the soft light from the libraries windows, “I’m the third Nathaniel in my family, so Trip seemed to be the best option. It’s never really caught on, to be honest but if my boss can call me it…well, I’m trying it out.”
His smile lit up like a child’s at her last comment, obviously flattered; he has never been very relaxed around women, especially those he found attractive – his former girlfriends had taken the first steps, had driven the relationships and, in the end, his indecisiveness was why he was (yet again) single. His crusading nature had also driven girls away in the past; he was a hopeless romantic but due to the consuming nature of his charity work and funding proposals, it tended to be too little, too late.
He looked down at Katherine, automatically ducking his head slightly to diminish his own impressive height and smiled crookedly, “And I doubt you were ever just Katherine, Miss Anderson.”
Re: a well deserved break???[so open] « Reply #6 on Aug 3, 2008, 5:53pm »
She gave another soft smile, the lines and effort of it astounding simply from the sheer rareness of the motion. Katherine was quickly realizing how little time she had spent free of the asylum recently. The idea that a sane man could make her flush so easily, that it felt so strange to smile, was a big red flag in her book. She fiddled with her thin blond hair again, pushing it even further back, though it easily slid from her grasp only to catch behind her ear again.
"Still...Trip? Why not Nate? I've always liked that nickname." She grinned, envying him the simple nickname. Although she had grown accustomed to 'Katherine', she would still love a name that could make her feel like someone knew her...not that she'd have anyone close enough to her for that. Besides, her patients would probably abuse the name...so it was for the best then. Ah, the foresight of her parents! She stifled a sigh, turning her thoughts back to the conversation. "Trip it is I suppose."
"Oh..." She said at the comment on her name. "Sometimes it's Dr. Anderson." She said vaguely, unwilling even to reference to that dreadful nickname of her youth. "I work at Arkham." She said proudly. She knew what the usual reaction was...he would slink away, completely turned off not only by the fact that she was a shrink, but also by the idea that she was involved with the train wreck that was Arkham. A pity really...still, maybe she could salvage the conversation?
"And you? You mentioned a boss? I'm lucky enough to be the boss. Well, in a way..." She thought fleetingly of Mr. Arkham himself, a man she had met on rare occasions. In light of Arkham's recent track record, the founder had retreated far from the limelight. Last Katherine heard, he had taken refuge on some private island. Lucky bastard. She hated the man for that...for simply running from his problem. It was like she had told Nate, no one took responsibility any more! So Mr. Arkham had become a contributer...too scared to support his old dream-even financially-Arkham was falling to pieces. And it had such potential!
"So...what exactly do you do Mr. Trip?" She said lightly, barely cracking a smile once more. She looked up at him, realizing how he stood nicely taller than her. Most of the time she could meet a man's gaze even when out of high heels, but 'Trip' was certainly tall. And the poor dear seemed to feel awkward about it too...she chided herself for a moment, realizing she was slipping into psychologist mode. That was why she didn't have any friends: she was so busy psycho-analyzing them that they got freaked out!
Still...she did like to know about the people she shared conversations with...Nathaniel the third? Wouldn't that mean he was from a prestigious family? Wayne was a name she knew only because the reckless play boy landed himself on the news almost as much as Paris Hilton. But the other members of Gotham's elite were still, for the most part, a mystery to her. A problem she should remedy quickly if she truly planned on gathering donations!
Re: a well deserved break???[so open] « Reply #7 on Aug 5, 2008, 9:08pm »
Trip beamed as she graced him with another smile, tilting his head to one side in another effort to make up for his imposing height. His hands fidgeted, turning the slim book in his hands as he nodded his head appropriately; outwardly, he was mostly calm but Trip wasn’t the most social of creatures and, especially around women, he tended to be shy and quiet as he rehearsed his answers in his head – fortunately, if the acquaintance became friend, he became a lot more sure of himself. His dark eyes flicked from her face to follow her hair as she pushed it back, and then back to her face.
The pastel pinks of her voice coloured his voice in pale spots, like unfocused lights as the dark blue pattered rain drops across it; Trip was a connoisseur of the human voice, and how the same colours could be completely different when spoken by someone else. Katherine’s voice was soft and sweet but with smatterings of stronger tone, a combination that intrigued Trip though he saw the evidence of it before him – her soft curling hair and warm smile combined with he capable stance and toned muscle.
He nodded, dragging his focus back to the conversation as she mentioned Arkham, wondering how to tell her that yes: he knew she was a doctor, without sounding like a stalker. He had to tell her of course; his proposals for funding Arkham had been going to his father’s desk for weeks, and he had plans to steer the charitable department of Wayne Enterprises towards Arkham’s security fund – he hoped to meet with her professionally to discuss changes that this funding would help to make in the asylum, and feigning ignorance of her position wouldn’t help that meeting go any smoother. He also had to tell her that he was an intern at Wayne Enterprises; not the most impressive position for a grown man, unpaid grunt work for a major corporation. Of course, his family was impressive enough…but he didn’t like to use his name like that, didn’t like to play his family like a card – he wouldn’t deny his family, their wealth or influence, but he wouldn’t bring it up in conversation.
“I’m an intern at Wayne Enterprises; I only started interning recently; it’s interesting if not particularly challenging. I’ve certainly learnt a lot about photocopying and coffee… but I confess, Miss Anderson, that I was already aware of your position at Arkham.” He smiled sheepishly, tripping over his words as he hurried to explain himself, “I have been researching the asylum in the hopes that my father will agree to fund new security measures, amongst other things. My father owns Taylor Incorporated, a trading company and certainly has the money to spare, though I’m having little luck.”
He shrugged gently, smiling crookedly, “Of course, had I known your excellent taste in books, I would have tried a lot harder, in hopes of meeting with you before now.”
Re: a well deserved break???[so open] « Reply #8 on Aug 6, 2008, 9:38am »
"A...intern?"She asked a touch skeptically.Why, he had to be around her age! Right? For some reason the sudden thought that he could be younger than her sent a moment of panic. But all thinking stopped when he admitted to knowing what she did...and wanting to fund Arkham. Taylor Inc...how had she not put that together already? For a long time, all she could do was smile at him like an idiot. Money! Arkham was getting funds!
Normally a poised, dignified woman, Katherine found herself flinging her arms around the stranger. She couldn't help it. Funds for Arkham was perhaps the one thing she wanted most in the world! And here this man was offering it! It was...a miracle. She pulled back, blushing, but still grinning from ear to ear.
"Excuse me. I'm sorry I just..." She beamed up at him. "You're the first person to talk of funding Arkham...maybe even the first who seems to think it isn't a complete waste of time period. I...it means so much to me. Arkham is...it's important. I just wish everyone could see that." She let her eyes drop, still embarrassed at her spontaneous hug."I swear I don't normally put complete strangers in a bear hug." She let her gaze dance merrily back up to him.
For the first time in...well, she couldn't remember really...but for the first time in a long while, she was really and truly happy. Not just happy, but full of hope. For an instant she didn't have to be fighting-for the briefest moment she was winning. OF course, it was merely a battle, the war was nowhere near to over, but that didn't matter, not really, not in comparison to this blissful boost of confidence.
She giggled at his last comment, glancing at the book he still held clutched in his hand. "I'm sure you were merely under the impression that I was stiff, dull, and lived my life with a stone face and iron hand."She paused for a moment. "Which, honestly, isn't far from the truth." She gave a soft sigh, wishing she could be more normal-wishing she didn't feel the constant burden of Arkham. But the fact was, if she wanted Arkham to flourish it had to be her life. There wasn't room for anything else. And Lord knows that, for whatever reason, she wanted Arkham to flourish.
She wasn't quite sure why...perhaps because everything had come so easy for her in her youth she wanted a challenge now? Or had the plight of Gotham really gone to her heart first? Had she heard the cry for help and known she could answer it? Or maybe it was far more simple, far more normal, than that. Maybe she just wanted to become legend...and Gotham was certainly the place to do that these days. She herself couldn't say, though she hoped it wasn't the last one. Still, she was always honest, not only with other people but also with herself. And that meant she couldn't leave any option out, even the less than flattering ones.
"I suppose if I were being more professional, I would look at you now and say something along the lines of 'your interest is much appreciated...' then give you my number and some information on my plans for Arkham.But I'm afraid I'm caught too off-guard for formalities such as those."
Re: a well deserved break???[so open] « Reply #9 on Aug 19, 2008, 3:52pm »
Trip inward dismay at the way she had said ‘intern’ fled when she suddenly smiled at him like he had just saved her from drowning. And every other thought in his head simply evaporated as she suddenly flung her arms around him; it wasn’t often Trip had beautiful women pinning his arms to his side with a spontaneous bear hug…his mood lifted like helium and his face broke into a bright grin.
When she pulled back, he looked down at her, still grinning like an idiot as she spoke about Arkham’s distinct lack of funding – he understood her frustration. After the break out and the revelations about Crane’s experiments, moneyed individuals were cautious about supporting the institution; Arkham’s involvement in organised crime didn’t help. Many people saw the asylum as a stay-out-of-jail-free card, an easy route for criminals who wanted to stay out of county.
Trip laughed gently at the implication that Katherine was dull, “Miss Anderson, I doubt you could be dull, even if you were trying. As for stone face and iron hand, I think that it’s perfectly reasonable, given your occupation.” His eyes crinkled at the corners, a soft and sympathetic smile crossing his face as the sigh flooded his vision in gold. It can’t be easy, he thought, dealing with Arkham and its inmates everyday; not to mention the scowls of Gotham’s Elite. Trip had the greatest respect for anyone in such a position of responsibility, and more for Katherine who he believed had risen to it admirably.
The warm grin returned as she made light of her unprofessional-ism; turning the book over in his hands as he spoke, his voice becoming slightly more hesitant, “If formalities are to be done away with, might I ask if you would consider having dinner with me? If your schedule allows, of course.”
Trip’s tendency to sound like he is making a small speech was endearing, it made him sound nervous as though he was over-speaking.
Re: a well deserved break???[so open] « Reply #10 on Aug 19, 2008, 8:16pm »
"Completely and utterly dull. I swear to it." She said, tilting her head down and looking up to give her face a serious pout. She chuckled ever so slightly, barely noticeable really, then gave a soft, tired-looking grin. "I'm afraid such 'reasonable' traits don't always stay in the office. In fact, nothing much stays in the office at all." She rubbed the back of her neck, stress clear on her face, but another shy glance at Nath-Trip changed that.
He seemed so thrilled. Part of her, of course, couldn't help but hope he was thrilled because of her, because she had hugged him, smiled at him, but she sincerely doubted that. After all, she wasn't a flirt, and, while she was rather attractive, she didn't dress it these days. She had bags under her eyes, was self-concious about her laugh, and had been verging on abrasive with the man she was so straight-forward. Besides, could anyone really become attracted to someone else in this short amount of time?
...dinner?
Did he say dinner?
Her mouth went slack as she stared at him. She couldn't really tell if she had just been invited on a date...he had made it sound so forced, almost like a politician reading from the monitor, yet the words...no formalities...so on so on...
"Really?" She asked finally. "I mean, yes, of course I'd be delighted I mean I...well..." For a moment, just that brief moment, work had left her mind. She couldn't take a night off! Not with Arkham in the state it was! She simply couldn't afford to loose a night in the office...but...it wouldn't really be taking a night off, right? After all, he was going to donate to Arkham so...
"Yes." She said finally, fully aware she was manipulating her own priorities simply to allow a night out with a stranger. How odd! But, then again, everyone needs a break now and then...even Doctor Anderson herself!
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