Chapter 7: The Extent of a Parent's Ambition
Once it became clear that no other conversation would be occurring at Wayne Manor following that big revelation, Allison reluctantly decided to truck home. This time Alfred was ready to volunteer himself to drive her over there which she was extremely grateful for. However, the car ride back to her house was silent. Allison didn't even have to ask Alfred if he knew. Of course, Alfred knows.
So she sat in the back of one of Bruce's many cars with her ankles crossed and her hands held politely in her lap. Her shoulders were held back as she kept perfect posture throughout the entire ride. One may think Allison looks completely and utterly relaxed if they saw her. A mask of calm was what Allison allowed to show. She never moved once, not even an inch.
She was the image of tranquility. That didn't account for the tempest of emotions rolling throughout her on the inside, however.
Allison wanted so desperately to compartmentalize everything that happened this day. And as she sat there, she tried to. She tried so hard to push all of the anxieties that have exploded in her head from just this day alone away from the center of her mind, yet she knew she wasn't succeeding.
She was drowning it in, in everything: the fear that something might happen to Dick, the rage that someone dares to try to hurt her friend, the feeling of helplessness paired with firm determination, it all was too much.
This didn't even account for her anxieties regarding the Worthing family. Her parents somehow expected her to make this random boy like like her and she was only 10! However, how can she focus on this when Dick is receiving literal death threats? She shouldn't be worrying about this because her issue completely pales in comparison to that, but she's unable to pretend everything is fine.
Allison squeezed her eyes shut and took in a deep breath. It was all just too much.
"Miss Allison?" The blonde jumped in her seat, making her first movement in the entire ride. She slowly turned her gaze to see Alfred glancing at her from the rearview mirror with a kind expression. "We are here."
Looking outside the window proved to Allison that they were, in fact, at her house. The silence in the Batcave was severe and crushing, but she suddenly wishes she never left.
Her parents are not going to care about what is going on inside her head nor will they find concern in her problems. They will tell her to find a way to make that Worthing kid fall for her and she is going to have to.
It is inevitable.
Her parents aren't going to suddenly stop because she is feeling overwhelmed. The person sending Dick death threats isn't going to suddenly stop because she asked.
She can't afford to let this all overpower her. Whether she likes it or not, she has things she must do.
It was this thought that allowed Allison to push all of the fear, the rage, the helplessness and determination, and the dominant overwhelming feeling into a dark crevice inside of her mind. She compartmentalized it all so it went away. Allison would be a fool to pretend this is a healthy, permanent solution.
Then again, it would be a permanent solution if she found a way to fix both problems.
"Miss Allison?"
She swished her head to look back at Alfred and she flashed him a quick, reassuring smile. They both knew the smile was far too strained to be authentic, yet she couldn't help but try.
"Thank you, Alfred. I am probably not going to be able to come to the cave tonight." She's not sure if she even wants to. The only thing that will greet her would be the sight of Dick and Bruce brooding. "I will be there tomorrow, though. First thing."
Alfred's face warmed into an affectionate smile as he nodded. "Very well, Miss Allison. Simply call and I shall make the small journey to take you to the Manor."
Allison rolled her eyes. There was no way arguing with Alfred on this one. "Even though I could get one of our drivers to take me, I will. Thanks, Alfie."
Once she got out of the car, she was about to turn around to walk into the lion's den when Alfred leaned over the passenger's seat to speak to her. "Miss Allison, it is I who should thank you. They are stubborn, but with your support, they will get themselves out of it. That I am sure of."
She smiled. They didn't deserve Alfred, not one bit. "Keep me updated if anything changes."
Alfred nodded and drove off back to the Wayne Manor. Allison stayed in the driveway of her house for just a moment more.
"Allison, where have you been? The gala is in a couple of hours!"
Closing her eyes in exasperation, she took a deep breath to calm the rapidly growing temper inside of her. Only when she was certain she wasn't going to explode on her mother did the girl turn around to face what will inevitably be another long and tedious night.
OoO
Allison adjusted the strap of her dress. She knew this floor-length, sparkly gown was more mature than what most kids her age would wear, yet that didn't stop her parents from forcing her into it. She would normally wear something more poofy and childish, though still glamorous, to these types of events.
The guests whose curious eyes strayed to her were all in the belief that this change of style for her was more than likely symbolizing how she is becoming older or perhaps how she is finally getting more involved in her father's company. They aren't wrong on either account. However, they haven't guessed the truth. The only people who know why she decided to try a more mature attire are herself and her parents.
They cheerfully said she looks older. With all of the makeup her mother forced upon her and the outfit she wore, she looks 16 instead of the measly and unimpressive age of 10.
As her mother eagerly kept searching for the Worthings (since everyone knew the Worthings would never miss the first gala since they arrived in Gotham), Allison couldn't help but feel the most uncomfortable she has ever been.
What she is wearing is gorgeous, as much as she hates to admit it. Though she can't fight the paranoia that this strap is going to fall off her shoulder any minute now, nor can she stop from stumbling in the stiletto heels she is sporting.
She never signed up for this. Allison looks like she is ready to attend a party in Hollywood, not Gotham. Nobody here ever dresses up with this much modern fashion. Unless a gala has a certain costume theme, women normally wear sophisticated and elegant dresses paired with a pearl or diamond necklace, and men sporting an expensive suit and tie. Of course, most people find a way to spice up their attire; most women perhaps custom-make their dresses so there is a change in the color or pattern, but the classiness always remains.
Allison is wearing something that is not the norm. As much as she loves to be unique, Gotham socialite events are possibly the worst place to stick out in her opinion.
Then again, Allison mused, perhaps that was mother's plan all along. Find a way to make me stick out so the Worthing boy can notice me.
If she sounds resigned to her parent's revolting plan, then she is being completely genuine. The faster this is over with is the faster she can put her entire focus onto Dick.
As soon as that thought crossed her mind she quickly swiped it away. It was neither the time nor place to be stressing out about that.
Instead, Allison found her way to the edge of the ballroom and plunked herself in a predictably uncomfortable chair.
"I feel like this is how we always meet. You looking like you would be thrilled to murder anyone who approaches you and me bravely prepared to poke the sleeping bear."
The blonde fondly rolled her eyes and sent an amused smile towards the owner of the voice.
Roy Harper, in all his ginger glory, sat in a chair next to Allison. Both were facing the dancing floor where all of the minglings took place. Nobody ever really danced at these sorts of things.
She noticed Roy was lacking his usual wine glass and commented on it. "Except you normally are drunk by this point. Where is your poison?"
"First of all, it is an elixir of happiness. Do not slander my alcohol. Also, I noticed you didn't even deny that the rest of my statement was true. Just want to point that out."
"Well, this time there are two people, in particular, I especially want to murder. I bet you can guess."
He hummed in response. "Is that why you suddenly look like you're old enough for me to make-out with?"
Allison glanced over and sent him a small glare. "Gross."
The pair sat content in silence, listening to the classical music playing along with eavesdropping on any conversation occurring nearby.
Roy was the one who broke the quietness when he asked, "What's the situation this time?"
Expecting this question, Allison didn't miss a beat and said, "Not important."
"That's crap," Roy snorted. "Come on, you can tell me."
"What if I do not want to tell you?"
"Of course you do. You just don't realize it yet."
Allison waited a while before she answered. "Father wants me to be more involved with business affairs. He says it is finally time for me to start helping. Do you know the Worthings? That is my first assignment."
"Which one are you supposed to impress? Mr. or Mrs. Worthing?" He frowned in confusion.
"Neither," she sighed. "I am supposed to impress their son."
Roy gave her a long and incredulous side-glance. She knew he was taking his own time to process this and welcomed the lull in the conversation.
"I'm sorry, but I really don't like your parents." Allison could see Roy scowl in the direction of the massive crowd. She couldn't see where he was looking, but she could assume his sharp eyes spotted her parents and he was currently glaring straight at them.
"Join the club. I am just going to stay here, maybe ditch this party and chill outside for a bit, and say that I could not find him. Anyways, enough about my personal stuff. I thought you and Mr. Queen were not coming to this one?"
"I've told you a million times to call him Oliver. Hell, call him Ollie. Also, recent events called us here. It seemed important to be at this particular gala." Roy sounded innocent enough, but the look he sent to her told her a different story.
Allison went stiff at the reminder of the one thing she was purposefully not trying to think about.
Mr. Queen and Roy also heard about the threats. She can only guess Mr. Queen heard it through the same way Mr. Kent did and told Roy about it.
"B is not going to be happy about this." Her voice was even and void of any emotion.
"That insane old bat needs to allow his worrying friends to help. Ollie's going crazy."
Allison hastily jabbed him in his ribs with her elbow. She has been repeatedly informed of how sharp her elbows are, yet she found no remorse in Roy's soft gasp of pain. She looked at the people around them, searching for anyone who might indicate that they overheard what Roy said.
Once she was satisfied they were safe, she fixed a harsh glare on Roy. "Be careful what you say. This is not your city, it is Gotham. There are sharp ears with equally sharp minds."
Roy, who looked sheepish for once, mumbled an apology. Allison continued, "Also, you are assuming he doesn't have help. He may have initially tried to solve it himself, but that is going to change."
Her friend gave her an appraising scan as if he suddenly realized that she might not be too undeserving of her mature attire. He eventually nodded his head towards her. "Don't think I've forgotten about your skills, kid. You've proved me wrong too many times for me to ignore it anymore."
When Roy first heard about a new addition working with Batman, he would never have thought it would have been that cheeky nine-year-old he met in that gala all those months ago. He also had a very hard time believing she was Blue Bird and that Dick wasn't playing a joke on him. Once he finally accepted that Allison was who she said she was, he had a difficult time trusting that she was worthy of her position.
That is until she basically saved his life. However, that is a story for another time.
"I am not a kid anymore, you know. I am almost 11."
Roy snorted. "Yeah, like that makes you any less of a kid."
The glare Allison aimed towards Roy would have made any sensible grown man turn paler than a sheet, but it only made Roy more amused.
"For your infor—" she immediately cut herself off when her straying eyes fell on an image she would rather wish was not real. Right in the middle of the large crowd were her parents who were currently conversing with a family she would rather pretend didn't exist.
Her parents have finally found the Worthing family and were currently charming their way into their favor.
Roy quickly noticed when Allison abruptly stopped talking and sat stiffly in his seat when his eyes followed her own.
"So it begins," Allison said bitterly.
"I'm pretty sure Ollie would be fine with sheltering a runaway. Hell, if you only stay with us for a few weeks and promise to come back eventually, does that even make you a runaway?"
Allison smiled softly but shook her head. "Sorry Roy, but this is one of the things I cannot run away from. However," she grinned as she slowly rose from her seat and attempted to make herself as unnoticeable as possible, "that would be running away to a new state. I believe running away for the night is perfectly forgivable."
Roy's lips tilted up, but his face clearly showed his worries about this whole mess Allison found herself in. Yet, he can't do anything about it. She knows it, and he knows it. Allison does wonder why he looks so worried, though. Wait, that isn't worry in his eyes. Is that…
"I better not be seeing pity in your eyes, Roy Harper." She crossed her arms, thoroughly annoyed.
Roy placed a hand dramatically on his chest, feigning offense. "Why I never, Miss James!" As soon as she had found it, whatever she saw trapped in Roy's expression vanished.
Despite herself, Allison smirked. "Must be my mistake then, Mister Harper. Why I would ever conceive the notion that you were capable of such a travesty is beyond me!" Allison could not resist adding that last part. She didn't need pity.
After a small goodbye, Roy went off to presumably find available and unattended alcohol and Allison went off to find some privacy. It isn't hard to find some peace and quiet in a big gala like this. Normally the estate for the gala was so expansive that the potential places for retreat were numerous.
However, Allison decided to make her getaway on a balcony. It wasn't too far from the main ballroom which housed all of the guests. Actually, the balcony itself was not too large or extravagant. That is why she always desires such a place. The decorated pots of beautiful and colorful plants sitting on this marble floor, overlooking the vast acres of land including large groups of trees, an infinite field of grass, a great lake in the distance, and a perfect view to witness the sun rise and fall every day was her ideal spot. How she described this picture of nature makes it more exquisite than it truly is; what she described is nature in its purest form. She describes a form of nature untouched by man but also overlooked by many. She thought in disappointment of the undeniable great number of people who have passed by this balcony without sparing a glance outside to see the marvelous region.
One day, she thought, there will be one day where those people will recognize their abuses and will give anything to see the sunset one last time.
Everything she described was simple. Perhaps that is where its beauty lies. The beauty in simplicity as they say.
"I must admit," Allison was roughly pulled from her muses as a voice from behind made her jump in her skin, "I would never have chosen a place as scenic as this to find some peace, but it is stunning."
She squared her shoulders and forced her face into a blank slate. She turned her back on the boy, hoping the dismissal in her voice would not go unnoticed by him. "Yes, well, these types of places are an ideal area to find some quiet."
She doesn't care if she is being rude. This is the one interaction she isn't ready for. Maybe she should try to charm the boy standing behind her, or perhaps make herself more likable? Though she knew she could never, not when she is being forced into this conversation at a time when she just wants to avoid everything.
No, she wasn't ready to talk to Liam Worthing, the heir to the Worthing namesake.
Bit of a cliffy, but I'm trying to make my chapters go a little bit shorter.
Y'all wanna know something crazy. So I looked up how many words a manuscript needs to be considered a novel. Guess what it is? At least 40k words. And this story has over 40k words now. I have basically written a novel, and I am not even close to being done with this story. I find this incredibly, just, incredible.
Does this mean I can brag about how I've written a novel technically? Lol.
Also I've kind of realized my chapters are starting to get pretty long. I really need to like cut down so that's what I'm gonna do. Yes, that means y'all have to live with these cliffies. I'm not really sorry.
Next chapter should come up pretty soon. Probably expect it not this week, but sometime after that (ooh look at me being a responsible author)
If y'all have any questions at all, anything you liked, or anything you wanted to point out, there is a nice box right below that would love for you to leave a review! ;D