As they pulled up to a huge mansion, Kori felt her heart race and she was terrified that is would pop out of her chest. As the car was put into park, Richard hopped out of his side and then walked around and had the door open before she had her seat belt unbuckled. She blushed looking down,
" Thank-you." she muttered. He held out his arm with a side ways grin.
" Old-fashioned I know, but it's proper etiquette." She took it as he led her through giant doors into a very crowded house. As she looked around she saw every politician she knew from the state, local celebrities and business icons. She had never been in the presence of so many people, that she began to feel self conscious and her nerves made her start to shake. Richard felt her emotions and took his other hand and placed it on hers.
" I promise, I got your back." He whispered, she looked at him and smiled. As they their way through different rooms they heard a loud voice call,
" Yo, Rich!" A short boy in a green tux came up to them. " Yo, dude there are so many people here!" Energy seems to burst from inside of them
" There you two are!" Another voice came. A tall, muscular man came up to them in a very nice tuxedo. His skin as dark and teeth brilliantly white, Kori was intimidated by the small ambush. "I was wondering when you would," He started looking at Richard, " Well hello there little lady!" He grinned at Kori.
" Kori these are my friends, Garfield Logan and Victor Stone." Garfield have a goofy bow and and Victor just gave Richard a grin with his eyebrows raised. " Guys, this is Kori Anders."
" It is nice to meet you." She said smiling. Both boys sniggered looking at their friend. Before they could open up their mouth to say something sarcastic, Bruce Wayne came up to the group. Kori was starting to feel ambushed, and the presence of such a powerful man, her fear came back.
" Good evening boys," he said looking at Gar and Vic, " and you must be Kori." With the hand that wasn't holding his drink. he put out his hand to shake. She nervously reached out her hand to return the gesture. Richard looked at his mentor with a solemn eye, making sure that he was on his best behavior. " I am so glad that you were able to come with Richard, it's not everyday he brings home a lovely young woman." Kori blushed at the comment and Bruce noticed her discomfort. " Well I am off to make some more rounds, lovely to see you all." Richard could tell in his tone that he wasn't happy, even though it sounded chipper. Kori was just relieved that the meeting she was dreading was over. Bruce walked off and made contact with someone across the other side of the room.
" We see reporters heading this way. You want us to keep them busy?" Victor asked.
"That would be great." Richard answered.
" They all seemed, nice." Kori said, some of her nerves fading.
" Yeah they are just great." Richard sort huffed, watching Bruce who kept looking at them from the corner of his eyes. A few people walked by, acknowledging Richard and giving Kori a polite smile and passed on. Kori watched as Richard put on a huge smile and conversed easily. Talking to people seemed easy for him. She saw no pretenses, and only respect. He kindly introduced her as her date and she would nod her hear and return the salutation.
" Ok, enough of this." He whispered to her as he lead her into the room where couples were dancing to a live band. He slid his hand around her waist and took her hand in his and began to dance.
" Impressive." She said as he took control.
" You don't grow up in high society and not learn how to dance." He smirked.
They danced and laughed, taking breaks to drink water. Things flowed naturally between them and Richard learned how innocent she was. For a few precious moments he forgot about being Robin, and what the night might hold for him. As his eyes wandered from hers for a split second, he saw Bruce staring at him, when eye contact was made, he nodded,then disappeared. "I'll be right back." He said, slipping away.
"Is everything alright?" She asked.
" Oh yeah, just have to talk to someone, really boring he said." quickly, but then gave a smile, " I promise I'll be back soon." As he quickly walked to catch up with Bruce in his office he gave a frustrated sigh, " this better be good." he said to the shadows where he knew Bruce was lurking.
" Urgent call, one of us have to go stop a bank robber." His "Batman" voice called.
" Well then that's you." Richard said defiantly. " I went last time, and I have someone here."
" I know." Bruce said cutting him off, " But this is my house and these are my guests, I should be present." Richard started to get angry.
" Look, it's not fair for me to just leave Kori here with all of these people that she doesn't know!"
" And it's not fair to the people of Gotham just because there is someone here who you consider hot."
" I don't consider her hot!" He took a breath. " I don't want to fight tonight. If you want me to go, I'll go but you better go and tell her that I have to speak with someone for a while." Bruce thought for a moment. Both felt the tension in the air.
" When you started to train I warned you that a nice girl would be bad for you. I will take this one, I would do it faster than you," Richard rolled his eyes, " but I would just think about what this will put her through if you go farther." And with that he disappeared completely to the Bat-cave. Richard stood there for a moment, trying to calm down, and then went back to find Kori.
Kori had found a seat and was watching people pass her. Some of the politicians that she saw on TV were hopelessly drunk, and standing very close to women who they didn't come in with. She laughed as she saw some people enjoying their time, and grew very still, hoping to be invisible when some girls her age walked by. It had been a while since Richard left, and she didn't feel comfortable around all of these people that she didn't know.
A few moments later she saw Richard coming toward her and she began to smile. He returned the gesture, and both were glowing.
" Hey, sorry!" He said as he approached her. " Business stuff."
" It is alright." She said standing. As she caught glance of the clock she saw that it read 11:00. They had been together for hours and the time flew. As he followed where her eyes went.
" Oh," he said lamely looking at the clock. " I should probably get you home."
" Unfortunately." she gave a sad smile. As he took her by the hand and led her through the crowd she yelled over the noise, " how long do these usually last?"
" They will still go strong for a few hours." He laughed.
As they made it to the car and drove on, the car was silent, but an appreciated one. As they almost reached her street she broke it by saying,
" I had a lovely time." Richard grinned.
" Same here. Thanks for coming with me on such short notice."
" Oh, no problem!" She said as he parked in front of her house. She didn't reach to unbuckle her seat belt.
"We'll have to do it again sometime." He said placing his hand on hers. The car was silent but the emotions were overwhelming.
" I agree." She said smiling. They both seemed to lean in, but his cell phone began to ring. As he went to turn it off he saw that it was the Bat sign. He groaned inwardly. She saw his eyes flash and knew it was something important. Not wanting to seem awkward, she began to open the door.
" I promise I will talk to you soon." His voice made her believe him as she smiled and shut the door. As soon as he saw her safely in the door he drove off in a rush.