16234/Art Galas to Remember

Art Galas to Remember
Date of Scene:	02 May 2024
Location:	NYU Skirball Theater - Manhattan
Synopsis:	Yelena protects Damian as his security at a gala. They manage to get along better than expected.
Cast of Characters:	Robin (Wayne), Black Widow (Belova)

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Robin (Wayne) has posed:
NYU Skirball Center, located in the heart of Greenwich Village, is downtown Manhattans premiere Cultural Center. The 2017-18 season, the first curated by Director Jay Wegman, features challenging, provocative and adventurous programing, reflecting the intellectual and counter-culture traditions of the historically bohemian Village. The 860-seat state-of-the art performance venue provides a home for internationally renowned artists, innovators and thinkers. Its presentations span a wide variety of genres, from dance, theater, music, film and performance art.

Tonight? A Wayne is present.

The venue itself was one that Damian had frequented often when he attempts to assume a different identity so he can enjoy a good show. Every artist from classical to provocative finds a welcoming home here. Tonight? It's a big event. Anyone who's anyone is here. The show in question?

The Tempest, by Shakespeare - a favorite of Mr. Wayne's.

Though the man is wearing a black three-piece suit with a silver watch and nice shoes? He's dressed in a tux that is worth more than some people's homes. Yet, despite how nicely he's dressed and how often he's mingling?

He goes nowhere without his protection...

Black Widow (Belova) has posed:
Yelena Belova is wearing something resembling a tuxedo, albeit stylized and feminine, with the colors inverted, white on black. She has a few gold rings on her fingers and her blonde hair pulled back into a sharp, tight bun. In theory, she's working with the security team tonight, keeping an eye out for threats.

This is very low hanging fruit for Yelena, who should be above this sort of low level crap, but she's bored and there weren't a lot of jobs and a little extra spending money never really hurts.

Tonight, she's been assigned to this young billionaire, Damian Wayne. Yelena didn't really know about him - she had heard of his father, yes, of course, but only that he was very rich and very handsome. Some of the girls she had trained with dreamed of being his Russian mail order bride. Yelena didn't believe in marriage and she certainly didn't need anyone to take care of her.

She looks sideways at her charge. Something strange about the boy. He didn't seem as skittish and soft as the ones she usually felt. "Ah, I wish somebody would try to kill you. This party is very boring," she says out loud to the young man she's protecting.

Robin (Wayne) has posed:
Ironically enough, Damian was the *spitting image* of his father. More than a few women have tried to win the young Billionaire's heart, but to no such avail. Seems he carries just as much of his father around him with as people might automatically assume. Yet, Yelena in her striking white feminine suit looks strikingly beautiful and though she's received no such attention, it's no small crime that she should be receiving far more than Damian is.

He turns to look at Yelena with a bit of a smirk. "I appreciate the candor. Some part of me wishes someone would try to. Either to kick their ass myself or to watch you do your work. Think we can agitate someone?" He tells her, turning his head to meet her eyes with a knowing sort of look.

He knows *exactly* what she's capable of. Or at the very least...what would be very...VERY easy for her to accomplish.

"Or we find out where the bar is instead of getting light drinks from waiters."

Black Widow (Belova) has posed:
Yelena Belova snorts softly, "You kick their ass? First of all, I would take them out before you would blink. Do you even know how to fight?" she says. She can tell he does, at least a little, from his stance, but she's a Black Widow assassin, the elite of the elite. She might think differently if she knew who your mother was.

"I have never had a problem getting people to try to kill me. Is not what I am paid for today, though. I always do my job."

She heads for the bar as soon as he suggests it, "Come on then. I am sure the vodka will be substandard."

Robin (Wayne) has posed:
Damian starts to laugh. It's teasing, not mocking. Though he turns to to look at her more directly. "I took a few classes." Despite his confidence, Damian looks as though he hasn't punched a fly...but that's his secret: he's a master of deception.

"Then we'll just have to change the parameters of the job." He gives her a noticeable once-over, but he says nothing. She pulls him along towards the bar. "Thats because you're not reaching for the secret import." Though once they reach the bar? "Hey John. Can you get the vintage stuff from 1921?" And the bartender nods to him, pulling out two glasses as he steps into the back room.

Black Widow (Belova) has posed:
Yelena Belova leans up against the bar, her back straight, resting elbows on the edge of the wood. A casual position, it would seem, but, in fact, she's always poised, positioned, ready to strike without hesitation. Sprung, like a weapon. Like a trap.

"You are not my boss tonight," she says. "You pay me, you are my boss. And now, you cannot pay me for the sex. Well. Not for less than seven figures."

She takes a sip of the vodka, straight, eyebrows raising in surprising, "This is good vodka. You are most useful billionaire I have found yet."

Robin (Wayne) has posed:
Damian starts to laugh. "I am, but don't worry, I didn't want you to know that particular information. And if it's all the same to you, I prefer sex to be a mutual desire than one-sided. Though I won't have you think I don't have an attraction." Damian's playboy persona was on full display tonight, a striking comparison to his father.

He watches her drink the vodka and express her approval. "I told you: I have my ways." He chuckles, taking a sip of his drink. "I've only been to Russia a few times. It's beautiful in the winter time." He chuckles. "But, pleased to be of use, of course."

His eyes look around. He's looking for little things. Cameras, people making certain looks at one or both of them.

Cat and mouse.

Yet, he turns to look at her. "So, what made you choose to be a bodyguard?"

Black Widow (Belova) has posed:
"I didn't choose to be bodyguard. I didn't choose to be anything. I was made what I am, very young. Too young," she says.

"I am bodyguard because is work I can do. I can also kill almost anyone, but is frowned upon in this country. I am trying not to have 'the heat' on me right now. Is pain being chased down by SHIELD and superheroes and blah blah blah. Tiring."

"Russia is shithole, mostly. Except for rich boys who go there on vacation," she says. "I prefer the Bahamas."

Robin (Wayne) has posed:
"Me too."

Damian remembers being practically vat-grown. He remembers his mother and grandfather's harsh training. He remembers meeting his father and becoming Robin. He remembers not having a choice.

It was always the fight. Every damn night.

"I happen to have a private jet if you want to go to the Bahamas. Consider it a 'thank you'." He smirks at her faintly. "Well, glad to know I'm not a shithole." he teases her. "The US Virgin Islands are pretty great. There's an island off the coast Jamaica called Turks and Caicos. It's beautiful there."

Black Widow (Belova) has posed:
Yelena Belova arches an eyebrow, "I haven't decided what you are yet," she says. "But I do like a private jet. So many screaming babies on regular airplanes. I do not think I screamed as a baby."

She isn't even sure she had a mother, to be fair, not in the nurturing sense. Her first memories are the Red Room. The doctors and the trainers and the spymasters, all these old men with flat top haircuts staring at her little self with cold dispassion. Seeing her as nothing more than a weapon to be sharpened.

"I look excellent in a bikini," she adds.

Robin (Wayne) has posed:
"Fair enough." Is Damian's immediate response, though a cheeky smirk appears on his face, confident and entertained when she admits she likes a private jet. "I don't travel by normality unless I have to. Plenty of people looking to cause problems, either because of screaming babies or simply terrible attitudes. I like private because it's quiet and I can read a good book, drink my fine wines."

When she tells him she looks excellent in a bikini, Damian is practically forced to give her a full once-over.

"I don't doubt it. I happen to look not too shabby myself in a pair of swim shorts. Can't say I've ever been so bold to wear a speedo." an attempt at humor. A poor one, but an attempt.

Black Widow (Belova) has posed:
Yelena Belova smirks, "Really? You seem quite bold to me. I am sure I would find some nice clothes in closets from the other girls you've taken to your beach hideaway. I know the ways of the international playboy," she says.

She's killed a few, after all.

"Do you always hit on the security? Or is it usually the waitresses, since most of the security is usually men? Or do you not discriminate on such things?"

Robin (Wayne) has posed:
"Heh." Damian chuckles a little bit. "My reputation seems to have preceded." He remarks to Yelena with an entertained glint in his eyes. "Though I assure you, I find less women than you might think." Damian suggests to her, though he shakes his head. "Not always. Only the ones that manage to get my attention." he lifts his shoulders in a shrug and lets them fall just as easily. He winks at her then.

"I did meet a waitress or two I found rather attractive. Alas, I happen to only find women attractive."

He gives her a playful smirk then. "And actually, this particular hideaway would be a first. I like going there after too many social events to relax and stay out of the public eye for a moment."

Black Widow (Belova) has posed:
Yelena Belova chuckles lightly, "If it is less women than I would think, then maybe you aren't as impressive as I thought" she teases. "Do you think me an American puritan, likely to judge you for your promiscuity? I do not care if you are man slut, Damian Wayne," she says.

"I am only teasing. I do not get on planes with strange rich men that easily and, if I do, you should be worried. It would mean I have something else I want from you and that usually ends in a great deal of pain for the man involved."

"Although sometimes that can be fun, too."

Robin (Wayne) has posed:
"No, no, not a man-slut. I do enjoy the odd tumble, but I tend to only do so with people I have a connection with. Though hopefully I might regain your positive impression." Damian chuckles a little bit then. "Though you seem to have quite a bit of experience with men who enjoy such things, for good or ill." He meets her eyes in that moment, taking a sip of his drink.

"Then I'm honored you seem to want to get onto mine." He teases her playfully in return. "Pain can be exciting, sure. It can give adrenaline, make you feel things that one is too ashamed to admit. I personally prefer raw, unadulterated pleasure to pain, but to each their own."

He looks at her. "Besides, if this place is boring, we can always sneak away into a closet or some better restaurant. At some point, I might roll my eyes too far into my own skull out of irritation of these politicians."

Black Widow (Belova) has posed:
Yelena Belova laughs, "Clearly, you are very dedicated to the charity. Ready to duck out the back door at any minute. I have told you that I am here working, yes? If you make arrangements with security chief, though, I will go along on your rich boy adventure fun time," she says.

"I do not feel shame, Damian Wayne. I never had the luxury. A life without pain has not been properly lived - it will make you soft and weak. Are you soft and weak?"

Robin (Wayne) has posed:
"Oh, the most. But, I attend so many of these and shake so many hands...it's nice to duck out for awhile." Damian smirks. "And I've found I'm not much of a people person." He jokes, surely. Yet, as he looks at Yelena in that moment, as she tells him if he's made arrangements with the security chief? Damian smirks. "Already done." He points across the way at a tall man in a fine suit, who gives Yelena a nod.

"Soft and weak? Can't say I've ever known the words." He winks at her...and offers her his arm.

"Shall we?"