Like any social event, the festivities were preluded by a speech. The Wayne children plus two, instead of going to their table, followed their father to the stage, where they stood behind him as he addressed the three hundred guests that had arrived to Wayne Hall for the gala. Bruce spoke with a humorous tilt as he welcomed them all, then with more pure emotion as he talked about why they were all here today. He introduced them to Cassandra and Damian, and then gestured his second son to the stage. There was no question who was the star of the show.
Jason exchanged his smirk for a practiced smile that he knew no one was fooled by. He spoke carefully but with surety, running through his memorized speech at a sedate pace. He knew the smart ones weren't fooled, that they could see he was surveying them as much as they were surveying him, but that didn't matter. As long as it fooled most of the mass of humanity in front of him, then that was enough.
He mentally marked the individuals that he needed to keep an eye on. Theo and Tabitha Galavan were silver-tongued but rarely ever meant any of their platitudes, and if they weren't the heads of one of the major families Jason would've advocated barring them from their gatherings. Silver St. Cloud was an alright sort, and truly seemed to have cared for his father — the same could not have been said for her aunt and uncle. The Galavans had been plotting their rise for generations, and no doubt they would be the most vexed by recent events. Theo's son Geoffrey certainly had been when Jason had kicked him off his assumed pedestal with Helena's sweet sixteen gala, a grand event that had also been held at Wayne Hall, reestablishing the Waynes' dominance over Gotham. Ever since then Geoffrey had been unable to look at him in the eye without intense dislike, if not utter hatred.
Then there were the Vreelands, allegedly the second most powerful of the major families. Ronnie Vreeland knew how to play the game but like Bruce (or Brucie, as it were), she was only concerned about getting her rocks off. Her daughter Bunny, a woman that was currently a girl around Damian's age, was much of the same make. Jason would ping her for a talk, get a feel for her possible support, but after that would leave her to her fun. She might have the potential to be a kingmaker, but there was no need to drag her onto the board just yet. Best to keep her in reserve for now if they fell into some trouble on a later date.
The van Dahls were nothing. Jason had it on good authority that Charles van Dahl was not the businessman his father was and that Elijah wasn't much better. By Jason's time their fortune had shrunk to a mere fraction of what it once was, and for that reason Elijah had failed to attract a wife to offset his losses. With no bastards running around, the van Dahls had died out during one of the many incursions on Gotham, and no one mourned their loss. Jason certainly hadn't — Elijah van Dahl had been one of Cass' many abhorrent admirers who had to be rebuffed more than once whenever his sister visited him from Bludhaven. Jason had warned everyone except Stephanie and Damian about it so they could run interference in case history repeated.
No, it was the Vanavers that held the most of his interest. Hugo Vanaver was the head of the family but Samantha Vanaver was the current Grandmaster of the Court of Owls. He couldn't be too overbearing with her, but he still needed to catch her interest somehow. The Court was classist but they wouldn't dare pass up a chance to usurp the Waynes and place one of their number at the top and Jason had to make sure it was him. Damian was too young and Cass wasn't made for that kind of undercover work. Tim was capable but far too green, and there was no way in hell he was letting Dick anywhere near the Court. As their precious Gray Son of Gotham, Dick would be made into a Talon within months and right now they didn't have the means to cure that condition.
No, it had to be Jason, but he had to be careful. Taking out the Vanavers would be easy, but inadvisable. The problem had never been wiping out the Court, it had always been keeping them from springing back up. As long as at least a few members survived a purge with their power intact the Court always came back and struck back hard. It was how they had lost Kate and Renee. If Jason wanted to wipe out the Court again, he had to be thorough — he had to know every name, every associate, and ensure that they were all taken down without signaling the others. It would take years of work, but he'd do it because Gotham would continue to suffer otherwise, and his family would never be completely safe.
The major families covered, he turned the minor families and the individuals. The Beaumonts and the Blomdahls and the Jones and the Madisons and all of their like were largely inconsequential but he reminded himself to talk to them all the same. Some of the minor families were a part of the Court as well and having their goodwill would certainly go far with their Grandmaster. Then there was Tommy Elliot, and Jason resisted the urge to snarl when he saw him. When he heard the future Hush had RSVP'd for the gala he and Bruce had discussed what do with him. It was dangerous having him near the family but they couldn't alert him to the fact that they knew of his true nature. Reluctantly, they had Alfred seat him at the same table as the Kanes, the Gordons, and the Foxes. Let him believe he was still on Bruce's good side for now, and they'd be prepared for when he made his first move.
Others had been marked, individuals of future note, some that he would suggest his siblings meet with, but above them all was the last name on the guest list that Jason searched for. Bruce had admitted to agonizing over whether or not to invite her, and Jason couldn't blame him. It would be a long time before he would able to look at Selina Kyle in the face without thinking of her daughter, Jason's daughter. Helena resembled Bruce, yes, but there was no question she was Selina's daughter as well. Those catlike green eyes of hers still haunted Jason's dreams even now.
A few more minutes and the speech was over. The customary applause followed, Jason gave a wave of acknowledgment, and then followed his family off the stage. It was time for them to get to work.
"The change is uncanny," Stephanie whispered to Cass, who nodded ever so slightly. The first course had come and gone and already Bruce (or Brucie, as Jason and Tim suggested she'd call him whenever they were at parties like this) had left them to chat up one of the model dates at the other table while her actual date was picking up his second serving. She knew Bruce acted like this at society events, and Jason and Tim and even Dick had warned her, but it had still been a trip to see.
"What about him?" Tim couldn't help but ask, shooting a discreet thumb towards a similarly vacantly smiling Dick, who was kissing the hand of a much older woman.
"I don't see much of a difference," his friend admitted, which only made him smirk.
"This is ridiculous!" Damian furiously hissed. "They're embarrassing us."
"Calm, Damian, calm," Tim placed a hand on the youngest's shoulder, which was soon shaken off. "You know how this goes. You know why they do it. Just grin and bear it."
"Listen to Tim, Damian," Jason said lazily, eying the Galavans with a speculative look. "He knows what he's talking about."
"And what would that be?"
Jason blinked and turned around, exchanging his languidness for genuine, if subdued happiness. He stood up. "Bette Kane, as I live and breathe."
Bette met his smile with a polite one of her own, with just a hint of cautiousness. "It's good to see you as well, Jason," she said, holding out her hand which was met with a shake and a kiss on the cheek. "Introduce me?"
"But of course. Everyone, I'd like you to meet our cousin Bette Kane. Bette, I'd like you to meet my sister Cassandra, or Cass as she likes to be called, my brother Damian, and our friends: Tim Drake and Stephanie Brown." Greetings followed the introduction, and each one she reciprocated. When they were done, Jason adopted a softer, if slightly quizzical look. "So where's Kate and your uncle?"
His cousin's smile turned into a rictus, and she ever so slightly tilted her head back to her table. Everyone followed the direction she had, unwittingly or not, pointed them to and tried not to wince. Kate had gotten a bit too into the alcohol it seemed and Jacob was trying to get her to slow down.
"Right." Jason had forgotten how wild Kate had been before she became Batwoman. "So, how have you liked the gala so far?"
They chatted with Bette for a few more minutes before she was stolen away by some of her school friends. At Bette's insistence and Jason's encouragement, Tim, Stephanie, and Cass followed while Jason stayed behind with Damian. He couldn't hold their hands all the time, and he trusted Bette to intervene if necessary.
The small group of chattering teenagers flitted away, and Jason patted Damian on the shoulder and took him in the opposite direction. Leaving Damian with the other small children would be a recipe for disaster and was best left until towards the latter half of the gala when everyone was too drunk to ruin his little brother's fun. For now, he had a more boring but far more useful task for the two of them.
They hit the Galavans first. They were technically the most prominent of the major families, some even considering them to have replaced the Crownes as the new fifth of the First Families. While Jason knew the Vanavers were more powerful, that was a little-known fact kept to the most select of circles. Plus, the Galavans were more easily offended. They wouldn't mind the Waynes acknowledging the Kanes first — the Kanes were kin and another of the First Families — nor Tommy Elliot, but that was where they drew the line. It's why they were seated at the next closest table to the center where the Waynes sat; they were not close associates, but they still needed some form of greater acknowledgment than the other families.
Theo Galavan was a tall man of graying hair and Spanish and French descent. His twin sister Tabitha was a bit shorter but her hair was still a strong dark shade and she had aged a touch more dignified than her brother. He had heard rumors that Tabitha had been quite the beauty back in her day, and he could see the fading shadow of that handsomeness in her face. He was surprised she had never married — she would've been quite the prize for even the First Families.
"Mr. Galvan, Miss Galavan," he approached them with a polite nod. The Galavans pursed their lips but returned the nod respectfully. He might not be of Wayne blood but he was still a Wayne and one that the gala was honoring. Even their power had limits. They wouldn't dare to offend him tonight. "My name is Jason. And this is my younger brother Damian." He gestured down to Damian, and he could see the way their faces perked up, ever so slightly.
"We just wanted to see how you were enjoying the gala so far and to thank you for coming. Our father is a little too…preoccupied to do so himself, after all." Acknowledging Brucie's faults while presenting himself as dutiful and aware of his place. Displaying the control he had over Bruce's sole blood heir. It was a perfect blend to capture the interests of a family that so badly sought to usurp his own.
The conversation flowed smoothly. The Galavans passed on their banal compliments and they followed into a standard discussion. What was it like being in Gotham again? Why was he not at school? Where was Geoffrey Galavan? Answers were exchanged, and the minutes passed by quickly. At the bell signaling the second course, Jason passed on his faux-regrets about their departure and guided Damian back to their table. He felt the Galavans burning their curious eyes into his back, and tried not to grin.
The conversations with the other major families went just as smoothly. With Ronnie he was a bit more genuine, teasing her and teased back in turn, letting her make some digs in with Damian who reacted with his typical blunt manner. He even suggested that Damian meet up with Bunny later down the line. This also had a dual purpose of attracting the other guests that had brought small children with them. There was no way they would risk the possibility, even tangentially, of the next Mrs. Wayne being a Vreeland.
The van Dahls immediately began pontificating, puffed up bags of air they all were. Jason smiled and nodded and made sure Damian did the same. He added some backhanded compliments and flattery and then directed Elijah van Dahl towards Bette's group. He trusted Tim to protect Cass if, again, history repeated, but he doubted she would need it. She would be able to read Elijah's intentions from a mile away and would very much be unlikely to get caught. It would be good practice for dealing with others of his ilk.
The Vanavers were where he was jittery, even if he didn't show it, but he had fallen into easy discussion with Samantha Vanaver over Euripides and Damian displaying his own knowledge about the ancient playwright had only made things go even smoother. Combined with slight veil of disapproval he had shown over Brucie's and Richie's behavior and he knew that the Court would be keeping an eye on him. Hopefully not too closely, but just enough to pull him in so he could dismantle them from the inside out.
The real trial was when he had been approached instead of the other way around. They had just finished the third course and Jason had decided to meet Cass at the dance floor for a quick spin, leaving Damian with a group of the younger children, including Bunny Vreeland. He had served his purpose for the night, so Jason felt comfortable letting him off his leash to have some fun of his own.
Ever since they had arrived to Gotham, Jason had made sure to take at least one afternoon a week to teach Cass what he knew about ballroom dancing in preparation for an occasion like this, in hopes that it would awaken her own love of dancing. It was a slow-going process thus far, but she showed more and more interest every time they practiced, so Jason figured that she'd ask for more lessons eventually.
After three dances, one of them decidedly awkward but no less enjoyable, Dick appeared to take Cass off his hands, wanting to spend his own time with their sister. Jason let her go with a soft smile on his face, and watched them twirl around for a bit until he felt a hand on his shoulder. Turning slowly, he blinked at the strangely familiar red-haired man that had deigned to enter his personal space.
"Thomas Elliot," the man introduced himself.
Jason adopted a polite look as he felt the blood in his veins go cold. "Jason Wayne. You're a friend of my father's, correct? I was told you were traveling the world."
"I was, but I figured I dropped back by Gotham for a bit for tonight's party. I'm sure Bruce would've appreciated it."
"I'm sure he did. You've seen him already, right?"
"I have," Elliot admitted, "But he seems to be a little busy right now."
Brucie currently had three models fawning all over him, one for each complete course of tonight's dinner. Considering they were having seven courses, Jason could only hoped he stopped before he got in too deep with so many women and was forced to bring them to the Manor for a little 'fun', otherwise he was going to have everyone else move to the guest wing for tonight. "Forgive him. You know how he can be."
"I do, but I don't mind. It's a little amusing, really."
And grating. The fact that so many people preferred him over you is why you replaced your face with his. "I'm glad you aren't offended. He has his quirks, but he's a good man."
Elliot smiled. It looked too genuine to be anything but fake. "Your father and I are old friends. I already know what kind of man he is."
Jason smiled back. Oh, I'm sure you do.
He continued conversing with Elliot for a little while longer before one of Elliot's schoolmates from his own years at Gotham Academy called the older man away. Jason internally breathed a sigh of relief. It was difficult talking with Elliot without giving in to his ever growing desire to punch the bastard in the face. Thankfully, he was quickly distracted from his violent thoughts by far kinder faces.
"Jason!"
"Babs," Jason bent down to give his surrogate sister a hug, "I'm glad you could make it."
Barbara beamed at him. "Wouldn't miss it for the world."
Jason then looked at the man who had guided her wheelchair to him. "Commissioner Gordon. And the beautiful woman next to you must be your wife, Detective Sarah Essen-Gordon, yes? It's nice to meet you, ma'am."
Sarah Essen politely shook his hand. "It's nice to meet you as well. Welcome back to Gotham."
"Thank you, but you know what's funny? Sometimes it feels like I've never left." He exchanged a meaningful look with Barbara as he said that. "This city…it has a way of settling into your bones, you know?"
"I know what you mean." Sarah exchanged her own look with her husband. "That's why we fight for it."
"Yeah," Jason's smile took a sad tilt. "And why you'll keep on fighting for it." Until the day you die.
Preparations for No Man's Land had been another top priority since Jason's return. It wouldn't be for another year, and Barbara had already devised an emergency nuclear alert that would empty the city before the earthquake hit. But even with that in the works, Jason knew there would still be casualties. He could only hope that Sarah Essen-Gordon wouldn't be one of them this time. The Gordons had already suffered enough tragedy for one lifetime. No need to go through any more.
His attention was called back to the present when Barbara took out the gala's program. It had a schedule of the festivities and a full menu of the night's seven-course meal, along with listed alternatives that could be requested for those with dietary restrictions. The program had been handed out to every guest, regardless of age. "Do you know what the last act is, Jay?"
The last act. Jason had been given the original copy of the program and had noticed the same thing as Barbara. The last major act of the gala, set right after the completion of the seventh course, was simply written as 'To Be Announced'. No amount of needling from him or any of his siblings had managed to convince Bruce or Alfred to tell them what the last act was. It seemed the two were intent on keeping it a surprise.
"No clue, Babs," Jason said truthfully, "We're just going to have to wait and see."
"There's so much food," Stephanie said, overlooking the fourth course: a cooked vegetable medley. According to Jason the seven-course meal was in the Italian style, but in a modified fashion that allowed each course to be served by themselves at certain intervals without having to discard any of them. That meant that, if he or she wished, a person could just munch on the first course all night without anyone being any wiser.
She had inquired Tim about what they were going to do with the leftovers, and had been informed that Wayne galas usually had the food preserved and sent to the various food kitchens throughout the city. No sense in letting good food go to waste, after all. That had made her feel a little bit better about the luxury. They had warned her, yes. But just like with Brucie, knowing it was there and seeing it were two different things. This was the life she fallen into now, and something told Stephanie it was a life she wasn't getting out of anytime soon, if at all.
"Steph," she turned around to see a slightly annoyed Tim looking off into the crowd again, "We've got trouble."
Following his line of sight, Stephanie winced and agreed. Approaching them right now was Elijah van Dahl. Jason had covered the boy in his lectures but he needn't have bothered. Gotham Academy's famous rumor mill had much to say about the van Dahl heir, including his various 'conquests'. He had never done anything too shameful (or illegal), but he was unquestionably self-absorbed and left a line of broken hearts that put even Dick to shame, though not for the same kind of reasons. At least when Dick wanted a casual hookup he told you. Meanwhile, dear young Elijah strung girls along and then tossed them aside when he was bored with them, and thus had quite the reputation.
"Drake. Stephanie," and the smile would be charming, if she hadn't been rendered completely inured over the last week. Elijah van Dahl was good-looking, but he wasn't Dick Grayson or even Jason. He especially wasn't Ti—Okay, where did that thought come from?
"Van Dahl," Tim said politely, bringing her back to reality.
"Elijah," Stephanie concurred.
His eyes flickered towards Cass, who had just finished dancing and was now chatting away with Bette and Sally Kaptra. "Mind if you introduce me?"
Stephanie had to stop herself from visibly blanching, and she could feel Tim curl his fist. She didn't want Elijah van Dahl anyone near Cass if she could help it. What if, God forbid, he actually endeared himself to her? Cass didn't deserve to have her heart broken like that, and she could only imagine the kind of scandal that would erupt if the heir to one of the major families spurned Bruce Wayne's only daughter. To say nothing of Cass' siblings. She wouldn't be surprised if Jason tried to murder the guy.
But they couldn't afford to say no, could they? By arriving with the others Bruce had silently declared that Tim and her were unofficial Waynes, at least for tonight. But that didn't change the fact that they weren't official Waynes, and thus that protection could only extend so far. Offending one of the major families, even to protect a Wayne, could not end well — for either of them.
It seemed Tim had come to a similar conclusion, because he showed all his teeth and let out a short "Sure." He directed Elijah towards Cass, and Stephanie reluctantly followed them both.
She could see the moment that Bette noticed them because an uncharacteristic scowl had crossed her pretty face. Bette had been nothing but kind to both of them all night, never looking down on them despite their obvious inferior social status and even instructing them a bit on some of the guests and how to interact with them. Stephanie liked her, and she knew Cass did too. And if Bette didn't like Elijah either…
"Bette, Sally, Cass," Tim addressed them all. Stephanie could see Sally also wincing when she saw Elijah, with more than a little hurt in her eyes. Great, one of Elijah's 'conquests' was here too.
Cass tilted her head at the new face. It was just as Jason said, she was the bell of the ball. Just about all of Stephanie's schoolmates here tonight, many of whom had never talked to her before, had all but mobbed her in hopes of getting to know her best friend. And Jason, but whatever air Jason had adopted had seemed to put off most of them. It helped that the second son of the Waynes had decided to go around conversing with the adults instead with Damian in tow. None of these spoiled rich kids wanted stick around for that.
His sister was different. Many of her schoolmates had at least known Jason through his lingering reputation at Gotham Academy, as outdated that reputation was. Cass was new, a complete unknown. That meant that she was a blank slate, and any pre-conceived biases that had been passed on to her by her siblings and friends could easily be overcome with just enough sugarcoating and flattery. Stephanie had assumed she was the most vulnerable, and in a way she was; but so was Cass. Cass didn't have the context of Gotham Academy to frame her friendships. If she was a blank slate, then so were they.
"Cassandra Wayne," Elijah said suavely, or at least what passed for him as suavely, as he lifted Cass' hand and pressed his lips to it. "At last we meet."
Cass blinked. Sally looked glum, while Bette silently fumed. "You are?" she asked.
"Elijah van Dahl," Elijah introduced himself, winking. "Care for a dance?" Before Cass could answer for herself, he was dragging her away to the dance floor.
Bette put a comforting hand on Sally's shoulder as she glared hard at Elijah. Stephanie shifted uncomfortably while Tim crossed his arms. Cass looked back at them all, a strange gleam in her eye.
They watched as the two clasped hands and began to circle around the marble white floor slowly. Elijah kept on chattering at Cass, who seemed to struggle to answer him. Stephanie was sorely tempted to intervene right now, consequences be damned.
Then suddenly, the song abruptly changed and turned into something more upbeat. People struggled to change their tempos, Elijah included, but Cass had no such issues. She switched styles into something that looked like a tango, or at least what Stephanie thought was a tango, and unconsciously led Elijah to follow her, not noticing that he couldn't keep up. The older boy started flailing as he tried to pick up the pace, until he slipped and landed on his ass.
Hard.
A loud, girlish squeal echoed throughout Wayne Hall. Bette and Sally immediately guffawed, and Stephanie tried to stifle the laughter that started bubbling up her throat. From the corner of her eye, she saw Tim smirk. Elijah turned red as he became the target of more than one amused stare, and waved off Cass' attempts to help him up as he quickly retreated back to his table.
Cass returned to them, seemingly confused, but Stephanie saw a brief flash of satisfaction cross her face.
Her best friend was the best.
The night rolled on. Jason met with the various pullers and levers of Gotham's high society, putting on a polite, witty facade while occasionally showing some fond disapproval for adoptive father's playboy antics. Just a hint of frustration, of doubt, shown towards the more…ambitious of the other families, to cause them to let down their guard. To seek him out when they inevitably sought to take out the Waynes.
This was just the beginning. Taking down the Court of Owls would take years of long-term planning and manipulation. Jason had known that from experience; when they had finally committed to eradicating the Court for good in the previous timeline, it had taken almost all of Dick's tenure as Batman, and not without casualties. Both Kate Kane and Renee Montoya had been killed trying to take down the Court, which had led to Bette's final and official retirement from vigilantism. But in the end, their losses hadn't been in vain.
The removal of the Court meant the loss of much of the corruption in Gotham. Tim had been able to arrange the gradual removal of the rest, and Jason had completed it within two years of his death. Without that innate corruption, it had been easier for Jason to help the city, particularly the most pressing task: reforming Arkham. For a time, the crime rate had dropped to a point that he even thought that he might be able to retire the mantle.
Of course, he thought bitterly, it wasn't meant to be.
The Batman mantle could never be retired. Not until… Jason took a deep breath.
"You alright, kitten?"
Now that's a voice I haven't heard in a long time. "I'm fine, ma'am," Jason reassured the woman, then held out his hand for handshake. "I'm Jason Wayne. And you are…?"
"Selina," the woman gave him a cat's grin, "Selina Kyle."
Oh, I know. "It's nice to meet you, Miss Kyle. My father has said some things about you."
"About as much as he's said about any other fling, I imagine," Selina said, though her voice was more amused than derisive.
"But you aren't a fling, are you? You're a friend." Selina Kyle, after all, had once been a rising socialite. One who had come onto the scene with a splash, and of course that had caught Bruce Wayne's eye. There were rumors about how their first few months of their acquaintanceship went, but they had eventually settled into a polite, if slightly distant friendship, and the gossip moved on.
"I guess you could call me that. I assume we aren't really good friends however, seeing as he's yet to talk to me tonight."
"He hasn't?" Jason frowned. "Well, I apologize for that. I'm sure it's not intentional." Lie. It's definitely intentional.
Selina took a sip of her drink. "Oh, I hope not. I'm fairly certain I haven't done anything to offend him yet."
"I'm sure you haven't, Miss Kyle. My father is not an easy man to offend. He's kind like that."
"Call me Selina, honey," Selina told him, brushing a stray piece of lint off his suit. "If you really are putting yourself out there and attending more of these shindigs, then I imagine we're going to get to know each other very well."
"I'm looking forward to it. I hope I won't be too boring a companion for you."
Selina tilted her head, smirking. "Someone like you? I doubt it." With that, she sauntered away.
Jason watched her go with a fond shake of the head. If only you could see your mother now, Helena. You would've been surprised at how similar you two turned out to be.
Tim took a sip of his drink — a virgin fruit beverage he didn't care to remember the name of — as he observed Stephanie charming the pants off both Emil Jones and Brendon Fossoway. She's doing well, he couldn't help but think admiringly. He switched his attentions to Cassandra, who had left the dance floor to get a drink of her own and was now silently and playfully holding her own against Hallie Blomdahl and Maximilian Hsueh. He needn't worry about her either.
Of course, Tim had his own fair share of hanger-ons throughout the night, but he had disarmed them all and sent them on their way. Most of them weren't interested in his good will so much as getting under his skin. He could see the burning jealousy in their eyes; unlike Stephanie, they assumed he had plotted his way into the good graces of the Waynes, had used the tragedy in his life to to rise up in society. As if he had asked for his parents to be attacked by a voodoo-themed supervillain, he mentally snorted. He had no patience for any of that, and made it subtly clear.
"Poor little Tim Drake, all alone and abandoned," the voice of Bette Kane said in affectionate mocking, breaking him from his thoughts.
Tim shrugged. "I prefer it this way. I'd rather not get caught up in all this."
Bette sighed. "You know it doesn't work that way, Tim. You arrived with the family. You know what that means."
The younger teenager smirked, with just the right tinge of bitterness. "I do, Bette. Trust me."
The Drakes had never really been respected. According to a reluctant Jason, that remained true to an extent even after he had been adopted by Bruce in the previous timeline. Drake blood hadn't been respected until Tim bore the name Wayne, and even then that's because Drake blood was now Wayne blood, and nobody disrespected Wayne blood. At least not out loud, in any case.
Right now, Tim didn't bear the name Wayne. However, he was treated as one by the family, which meant he might as well be one. The dissonance was not lost on anyone, least of all him, and he couldn't help but be resentful of it. The Drakes had never really been respected, because the source of their fortune had been a plebeian general store. Not banking, not wines, not medicine — no, a general store, and for many that was insulting enough.
Tim wasn't blind to the reality of his parents' marriage. While he was certain his parents genuinely loved each other at one point, their union had also been something of a business decision. Janet Lynn needed legitimacy to rise in Gotham's high society and Jack Drake had a fairly respectable profession (archeology) and a need of money to fund his expeditions. It was a mutually beneficial agreement, and Tim was an extension of that. An heir to pass on the Drake name to and carry on the family business.
What had not been in the agreement were the constant business trips, the neglect of their young son. Originally, Janet Drake was to stay in Gotham and raise Tim and play the game while Jack Drake went off on his archaelogical digs and stayed out of her way. But again, the source of the Drake fortune worked against her and unlike Cass, Damian, and Stephanie she had no guide to help her learn the dos and don'ts of Gotham's high society. The stress of failing her social ambitions got to her, and eventually led to her joining her husband during one of his trips, ostensibly on business. One trip led to another and another, and that was how Tim found himself shipped off to boarding schools and left at home by his lonesome for months at a time.
It ultimately proved to be a disaster for the entire Drake family. Tim suffered loneliness and neglect and just enough boredom to convince him that stalking Batman and Robin every night was a viable hobby. Meanwhile, the increased amount of time in close proximity destroyed the Drakes' marriage instead strengthening it. His parents were rarely ever home, but Tim was a smart, perceptive child. He saw the signs, and before the Obeah Man had been counting the days until the divorce papers were signed and he had to decide which parent he would have to live with.
Jason talked about Tim's business prowess in the other timeline. The sheer ruthlessness he displayed as the CEO of Wayne Enterprises, the initiative he would take, the command he respected. His brother spoke of all these things, and Tim couldn't help but wonder how much Jason knew of the truth.
Judging by those brief flashes of fear in his eyes, it was probably more than he would ever care to admit.
The family congregated throughout Wayne Hall in between each of the courses, making conversation, eating, drinking, dancing and acting the part of gracious hosts without actually being gracious hosts. Brucie Wayne seduced women and got slapped, Richie Wayne broke a number of hearts, Jason Wayne smiled and plotted and schemed and planted seeds with his sharp tongue, Cassandra Wayne made everyone fall a little bit in love with her and Damian Wayne enthralled the few children present and began his quest for world domination. Stephanie Brown captivated while Tim Drake savaged while Alfred Pennyworth, forever the unsung hero, made sure the place didn't fall apart before the seventh course. The seventh course came and went and finally, finally, did the last act begin.
The shining lights of Wayne Hall dimmed, leaving just the spotlights directed at the stage. Whispers were heard as speculation rose over what that hidden piece of tonight's entertainment was. Apparently not even the Wayne children were aware of what it was, with Bruce Wayne deliberately keeping mum.
Gradually, even the whispers died down, until pure silence echoed throughout the building. Then, music started playing from the speakers, a low humming sound the gradually increased in volume as anticipation mounted, reaching a peak that was capped with a loud blast of silvery blue dust. Gasps were made, as a curvy silhouette broke through the cloud.
She was a tall, beautiful woman of Italian descent. Wearing a revealing stage costume with shiny see-through stockings for bottoms and a snazzy black top hat, and combined with her buxom figure, one could almost feel the hormones within Wayne Hall spike to insane levels. One look at her glimmering smile hooked the rest in, and a loud round of applause started up.
"Zatanna," Jason gasped out in astonishment.
"Zatanna?" Stephanie asked, not recognizing the name.
"Zatanna Zatara," Tim answered for her, also in slight wonder. "The greatest stage magician in the world. How did you manage to book her, Bruce?"
Bruce smirked. "Other than being a billionaire? Zatanna is an old friend of mine. She was more than happy to do a show for us."
Jason knew for a fact that Zatanna was much more than just an old friend to Bruce. While their relationship never quite reached the heights that Bruce's relationships with Selina and Talia reached, he knew his father's heart was more than a little tender for the woman on that stage, and that the feeling was very mutual.
He really hoped Alfred had prepared the guest wing for them tonight. It was starting to look like they were going to need it.
Zatanna began her act with a pair of doves. Using 'sleight of the hand' she transformed the doves into a pair of white mittens. She then pulled the threads of the mittens and made a strongly threaded piece of rope, upon which she called for a volunteer from the audience as she summoned a trick box from her helpers from behind the stage.
The show was enchanting, if a just a little stereotypical. People cut in thirds only to appear whole, floating animals, simple card tricks, vomiting handkerchiefs, all that was missing was pulling a rabbit from a hat. As if the world had heard him, Zatanna's gaze settled on him.
"And now, for my final trick, I'd like to call Jason Wayne to the stage!"
Jason slowly stood up, acknowledging the applause before making his way to the stage. Zatanna beckoned him over, and she delicately took his hand and guided him to center stage, where a pair of mirrors stood. Jason admired his reflection in one of the mirrors, as Zatanna explained her last trick to the audience. She was going to push Jason through each solid mirror, reflecting him reversing his features once, then again to return him to his normal appearance. To mark the fact that his features had been reversed the first time, she pinned a paper '1' on one side of his chest and a paper '2' on the other side.
"Ready?" Zatanna whispered once she was done addressing the audience.
Jason nodded. He knocked on the mirror just to show everyone it was solid for good measure.
Zatanna, taking that as her cue, gently pushed him through the first mirror. Jason felt that slight brush of magic linger, and then it was gone. He blinked down at the stage lights, then at his hands, and exhaled.
He had been flipped. Literally.
As he held up his hands to the cheering crowd, he saw a flicker of interest in Zatanna's eyes. After displaying Jason to most of the audience, she placed in front of the next mirror, and pushed him again. This time, the magic was just a bit stronger, almost pulsing really, but the effect was more instantaneous. When he looked down, he was back to normal.
The crowd cheered once again, as Zatanna took off the numbers on his chest, hiding her face from the crowd.
"You have a very powerful soul, Jason Todd."
Jason froze as Zatanna leaned forward just so, so her murmured words could only be heard by him and him alone.
"But something tells me you already knew that, didn't you?"
He stepped away, allowed the magician to have her moment, and for that brief moment, closed his eyes. A flash of silver light crossed his memories, along with a hauntingly alluring dark gaze.
You have no idea.
That terrifying minute with Zatanna aside, Jason felt himself relax as the gala guests began to depart into a crowd. He helped with the customary farewells, directed some of the cleanup, and handed off the sleepy-but-in-denial Damian to Bruce so the man wouldn't get any ideas. He could see quite a few women slump in disappointment at the sight, and sighed in relief. He had made the right choice. No one would have to sleep in the guest wing tonight.
Looking back on the entire night, as far as he could tell he hadn't made a single misstep. He had even kept his cool when he met with the current Grandmaster of the Court of Owls, Samantha Vanaver. She would be tricky, that one, but he had plenty of cards up his sleeve to deal with her when the time came. And if they didn't work…well, Lincoln March would probably take care of the problem for them, as reluctant Jason would be to let it happen. Then again, he'd probably be dead by that point, so his say in the matter would be rather minimal.
He had done what he needed to do for tonight. Everyone had played their parts well. They would have to wait and observe for everyone else's next moves, but for now, they could allow themselves to loosen and rest. It wasn't just Damian that was drooping, after all. The night had been fun, but even fun didn't come without a cost.
Of course, Bruce was still spry and ready to go, and Jason wouldn't be surprised if he went on patrol this evening after informing J'onn that his services were no longer need. If that was a yes, then he'd have to do it alone, however, as no one else was up for it tonight, not even Jason. He quite liked being able to sleep more than three hours a night, thank you very much.
"Ready to go back to the Manor?" he asked. Various sounds of approval followed that statement.
"Alfred will take one of the larger cars and drive us all back," Bruce confirmed, to weak cheers. "Did you have fun?"
"Yes," Stephanie said, then winced and clutched her stomach. "Though maybe a bit too much. These galas aren't always like this, are they?"
"Nah," Dick told her, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly, "We went a little overboard with this one. Any others you'll attend will probably be more low key."
"Like the Gotham Academy Prom," Jason added, "If even half the rumors about that are true—"
"They are," Dick confirmed.
"—Then if you can handle this one, you'll be able handle that one just fine. You might not even decide to get drunk and go skinny-dipping in the harbor!"
Everyone stared at him.
Jason blinked. "What?"
It's what they did at Helena's prom.
Jason woke up relatively late for breakfast the following morning. Last night's festivities had hit him rather hard and he was slow and sluggish as he went through his morning constitutional. After he was done freshening up, he made his way downstairs and towards the nook.
Food, a lot of it eaten, had already been spread out on the table, along with a cup of tempting coffee. Figuring he deserved this one treat, he grabbed his favorite mug and filled it to the brim with the caffeinated nectar, knowing he was going to catch hell for his hypocrisy from his younger brother. Silly Timothy; didn't he know that everyone was a hypocrite at some level?
The smell of his drink was already making him more alert. Ignoring propriety and the stink eye Alfred was shooting him, he grabbed a piece of toast and headed for the main living room, where he could hear the telltale sounds of the television on. Let him relax for a little bit more before had to move on with the rest of the week.
So lost in his thoughts, he didn't notice the panicked look Dick shot him as his eyes caught sight of the television.
"—Recent reports indicated that the Joker escaped Arkham earlier this morning during—"
SMASH!
"Jason!" Dick screeched.
"Master Jason!" Alfred ran out of the kitchen, face worried.
Jason didn't pay attention to either them, nor the puddle of coffee that was wetting his feet. Instead, he was entirely focused on the screen, where the familiar picture of a green-haired man with bleached skin and red lips grinned back at him. The sound his high-pitched, cackling laughter filtered through his ears, and he screwed his eyes closed, burying his face into his hands.
Fuck.
I wasn't even planning on having Zatanna appearing, but again, you all inspired me to expand the gala, and here we are. There are for more interactions than I intended, a bit more politicizing added in so you know how exactly Jason is trying to manipulate things to the family's advantage, some insight into Tim's mind, and some foreshadowing with Zatanna. What she's alluding to, I won't say. You'll see later on.
The ending, however, is exactly as I intended. Buckle up, everyone. Mr. J has arrived.
Next chapter: the search for the clown.