Gotham Academy Formal Charity Ball. A series of words so disgusting that the only thing worse was the words "attendance mandatory" that came etched in silver at the bottom of the polite note included with the invitation delivered to all the Wayne Scholarship recipients.
Robin plucked the fancy, hated paper out of Artemis's grip while she was too distracted moaning again just thinking about it. He jumped over the back over the back of the couch to land next to her as he scanned the letter. Artemis reached out for it hastily after she got over the initial surprise of being caught. She probably shouldn't have brought it with her to the cave. Stupid.
"Hey, give it back!"
"Ah, it's that time again huh? Bruce Wayne seems to have a ton of these things in the summer. Why all the moaning? Aren't girls supposed to love this sort of thing?" Artemis quickly thanked the universe Robin hadn't asked why she was going to a formal ball in Gotham to support the local school and turned her attention to the absurdity of that statement instead.
"Oh yeah boy wonder, every woman in the entire world loves being forced into impractical and uncomfortable clothing only to spend the evening with people they don't even like at a highly publicized event in Gotham of all places-Prime Arkham bait."
"That last part seems like something you'd like. Taking a crack at the Penguin can be a lot of fun."
"I doubt the dress I now have to purchase will stand up to that kind of fun." She complained with all the sarcasm she could muster. She expected him to have some smart ass and okay, clever, retort ready to go in response. He paused for a moment in confusion instead.
"Why? Who's your designer? Good ones make stuff that look great, are comfortable, and have durability. I have this one lady that weaves Kevlar and tech into suits better looking and more luscious than Armani. Oo! I think she makes gowns too!"
"You have a designer?" She asked incredulously as Robin ignored her in favor of quickly pulling up an encrypted and very fancy webpage on his wrist computer. Before she could repeat herself she was captivated by the screen. Pages upon pages of beautiful, elegant, perfect gowns in her size (and how did Robin get THAT info!?) that were truly tricked out with things like woven Kevlar, micro-laser jewel embellishments, secret compartments, and stretch panels to allow for acrobatic and combat maneuvers. Each gown came with suggested shoes and accessory packs that were no less exquisite or loaded with goodies and gadgets that excited the archer.
"Oh!" She let out a little gasp as a striking emerald gown caught her eye. She would look so good in this one and even on its own without feminine embellishment it stood out proudly. So... "Gorgeous..." She whispered, already regretting the fact there was no way in hell she could afford such perfection.
"And we have a winner!" Robin chuckled as he clicked the "buy now" button.
A twenty four thousand dollar buy now button, it turned out. Artemis gaped before letting out a panicked squeak of horror.
"No! No! No! Robin! I can't afford that!"
"Huh? Why not?" Robin looked at her totally baffled.
"Why not?!" Was this kid serious?! Just how well funded was Batman anyway?
"You mean Green Arrow doesn't give you a budget for this stuff?"
"No! He gives me my normal gear but not clothes or anything non-essential to the hero stuff. Even if I bought a normal dress, there goes any money for cab fare and I'm going to this shin-dig by bus."
Robin scoffed in disgust between his teeth to make a sharp "Tt!" noise that she'd never heard from the boy wonder before.
"The bus isn't THAT bad." She grumbled defensively.
"No, not that. No wonder why Red Arrow is always so disgruntled. Non-essential? Man if Ollie was more like Batman you both would be WAY more gruntled. Batman says the most essential piece of gear for us nonMetas is the piece that saves our lives. That way we survive to fight the good fight another day." Robin practically recited as he selected "other" payment method on the screen and typed a long series of digits and letters in the dialog box that popped up in response.
Artemis was a little stunned. Yes, she agreed in theory but twenty four thousand?! For a dress? That was brand new car! Rent for her and her mother for two years! It was more than she had ever seen in person and in this line of work that was saying something, even if she was new.
She was still trying to craft a response that made sense to her, let alone Robin, when the screen flashed "Payment Confirmed & Accepted. Expected delivery in Twenty-four hours."
"My treat this time, early birthday gift."
"What!? Did you!? Did you really just buy...You don't even know when my birthday is!" She struggles as her arms flew in the air in a near panic. Robin snickered and gave her a look like maybe he did know and maybe he didn't before waving away the question and her whole panicked state.
"Anyway that takes care of the dress. I'm sure you'll get a date so a ride won't be an issue."
Artemis felt like she needed to sit down. Her eyes locked onto the rotating image of the expensive dress that she now supposedly owned. She still couldn't believe it.
"Uh, Thank you, Robin, for this incredibly awesome and mind blowingly expensive gift." Her mind caught up to what he'd said and she grimaced. "But I'm pretty sure I'll be taking a cab to this thing." She was still 'the new girl' and wasn't really looking to hunt for a date anyway.
"Oh I wouldn't bet on that." He grinned. The blonde shook her head but smiled at the compliment. She almost took him up on that bet. She was tempted but if he spent that much without batting an eye, getting into any financial risk with him was probably not a good idea.
Turns out a few days later when Robin handed her the dress she couldn't bring herself to admit that she did in fact have a date. Dick Grayson, no less, had asked and she now had a very nice ride after all.
The kid looked so smug, asking if she still needed a ride. It was like he already knew.
She was going to call him a brat or a troll but the way his cheeks colored, eyes widened, and mouth opened a little when he saw her step out to model her new dress a few moments later was so strangely adorable, she gave him a thank you kiss on the cheek anyway.