Second Chapter will include DC characters. I own nothing. Sadly.
Dr. Marigold Valencia was unsettled, defeated by no means anything besides the cruelty of human nature. She was in a place far from her usual comfort and forced to undergo rules of society. The volcano within inflamed, begging to erupt from her core and release her anger on the world just as soon as her exterior would let it.
However, she was Dr. Marigold Valencia; Poised and polite in behavior. She made care never to show emotion around others and kept it a discreet secret if she were ever to do so in any public place.
This wasn't the place or the time for such behavior. However, cold indifference did appear the right face to bestow around these people as she entered the building and into an elevator.
It was the annual Christmas Party at Wayne Towers. It was a special event for board members and any important guest paying contribution to Gotham's most prized philanthropist, Bruce Wayne.
Dr. Valencia walked steadily through the hall into the ball room, where she came upon the mass of people and overwhelming smell of sweet champagne and wine. Waiters promenaded through the crowd, bearing the small glasses of liquid courage and escape. The good doctor promptly accepted one of these offers, and then secluded herself to a corner. She clasped the flute, sipping lightly and people watching. Many people came to the black and white ball. Her guesses were correct. They flocked and socialized just like the sick wealthy people they were, pretending to be of good measure towards the people of Gotham, or their benefactor for that matter. No, the doctor suspected-no, knew that they were here purely to boast about charity work and to make themselves loved among their own people, lying and cultivating as they did. It made her sick.
She gulped down the rest of her champagne, not allowing the honey and ginger ale taste a moment to settle on her tongue. She licked her lips. As she did so, a stranger meandered up to her, not swaggering like she knew some of the other patrons would be doing in less than an hour.
"Good Evening," he said, "if you don't mind my asking, who are you?"
Dr. Valencia managed a small smile in courtesy, secretly detesting the way the man did not introduce himself first. She certainly did not plan to give him her name first.
"Who are you?" She asked blatantly. The man shrunk back slightly, jiggling his champagne flute in process, clearly showing offense.
"Are you sure you don't recognize me?"
"No, I can honestly say I don't." Nor do I care.
"I'm Dr. Arkham, head of Arkham Asylum. You must not read the papers. Are you new in town?"
"Oh now I know who you are. You're the man responsible for all the criminals breaking out and running amuck through the city." She relaxed a bit, enjoying Dr. Arkham's expression change from content rage.
"How-how dare you!"
"How dare I? I'm afraid you're the one to have the disadvantage here all on your own. Had you kept an eye on some of the criminals or at least treated them right, perhaps they may stay and receive proper therapy. But alas," she gripped his gaze, speaking her mind slowly and definitely so to come off clearly, "they only have you to guide them." She withheld his gaze a few moments longer, enjoying the experience of destroying a man's pride that rightly deserved it. Even after only four years in Gotham, she could spot a snake when she saw one. Dr. Arkham was most assuredly, without question, a serpent of wealth with an image conscious. Perhaps showing a bit of contempt emotion was what some of these people needed.
Few around them noticed their conversation, enjoying each other's company without a moment's care, and not doubt awaiting the appearance of the long anticipated Wayne Billionaire. Dr. Valencia promptly excused herself from the still gaping Dr. Arkham. She walked through the ball room, shooting glares at whomever chanced eye contact. Her happiness was granted only at the sight of the piano and a woman standing next to it, dressed in an elegant shimmering party gown with long wavy brown hair. Dr. Valencia handed off her glass to a waiter and met the woman.
"Goldie you made it!" Announced the woman throwing her arms around her. Dr. Valencia hugged her sister warmly and the two stood back to look at one another. "Can you believe that we're here? I mean we're actually here. I've never sang in front of so many people before. Mr. Wayne is so generous."
"I see, and at one of his famous galas. You're very lucky." Dr. Valencia offered with a cold smile.
Sonya looked around the room anxiously. Dr. Valencia knew it was for her fiancé, Ambrose Du Bris, who so happened to also be her accompanist. After gazing off for a period of time, she asked," How are the drinks?"
"You haven't had any?"
"Oh no, the alcohol's bad for my throat. I can't afford to soak my vocals in drunken song like some of these people look like they may do at any second….no, I need this performance tonight. If Mr. Wayne is happy with me, he might fund a tour. Do you know what that would mean for Ambrose and me?"
"Yes. My sister the star."
"Hey! You're no stupid kid, Miss Princeton. Getting your PhD and having it when you're twenty two." She laughed.
"Twenty one actually."
"I apologize, dearest. It was what? A few months ago?"
"Yes it was."
"Okay then, you're birthday is close enough. Lets not fight; I want this to be a special occasion. I want you to enjoy yourself."
"Yes, well…it's hard to do that around these sorts of people…"
"Goldie, please….I know you're not fond of the wealthy; I'm not either. But I need this so badly. I hate to bow down and say this but, this could possibly be the most important event in my life, so please side with me."
Dr. Valencia's smile changed to a much warmer manner. "Of course, you know you have my full support. I know you wouldn't sit in with these reptiles unless you were forced to under certain circumstances."
Sonya smiled. Her waiting paid off when her fiancé, Ambrose with nicely combed brown hair and a fine tuxedo he must for with money he was hoping to earn that night, finally appeared kissing her cheek and turning round to greet the younger woman. "Hello, Goldie."
She nodded in return, her smile slightly sliding from its warmest and into its dark corner within. She did like her future brother in law, but it was not him who earned such a cold regard, but rather the figure behind….