10414/This Place Has Too Many Rooms

This Place Has Too Many Rooms
Date of Scene:	13 December 2019
Location:	Gallery, Wayne Manor
Synopsis:	I can't remember.
Cast of Characters:	Wonder Woman, Carrie Kelley

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Wonder Woman has posed:
One thing about Wayne Manor is that it is about as expansive as a place can get, which means there's always something to look at or explore. Diana is waiting for a phone call, she's caught up on her daily work so she's wandering through the hallways of the home. She's wandering in and out of rooms. Bruce is indisposed with a bit of his own business, Alfred is preparing a meal for everyone later in the day and Diana? She's left to her own devices her in this impressively built structure.

She wanders her way into the gallery, and starts to slowly walk down the displays. She slows in front of the sets of armors, and starts to read each one's individual plaques, while glancing up at them here and there as well.

Dressed in a loose white blouse, a pair of black pants and some heeled shoes, the Princess' hair is tied back in a pony tail, with only a light amount of makeup on her face as well.

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Expansive as it may be, there were certain paths that had to be used to get to certain parts of the manor without it taking forever. The gallery was actually one such walk through area which is what brings Carrie down this path. Not expecting to run into anyone at all she wasn't precisely dressed to meet such a reknown guest. Yet, here she was, suddenly finding herself walking this direction while wearing yoga pants and a tank top with a towel draped over her shoulders.

A smile flits over her face at the sight of Diana examining the armor here. "I always kind of wondered why he has suits of armor laying around in the same hallway that he keeps portraits of his ancestors. I mean..." She turns her head toward one such portrait to tip her chin in its' direction. "I'm pretty sure none of the Waynes actually wore that Japanese armor, for instance."

Wonder Woman has posed:
Diana had the senses to let her know that someone was coming, she could hear them coming before she could even see them. She didn't know it was Carrie though until she got close enough to see her, it would take her a bit more time to learn Carrie's movement patterns to ID her without visual sight of her... probably not that much longer though.

Diana looks up when Carrie speaks and she produces a big smile across her red hued lips, that makes her face light up as she looks back to the arm in front of her and up to its helmet above her behind the glass. "I... have known many people who have kept such things in places like this. Some do it for purely selfish reasons. Others do it because they do not trust a museum to keep the item well kept - which sadly is the case some times."

Diana then looks back down and over to Carrie. "Bruce? Well... he probably keeps them for a great number of reasons. But, whatever they all are, It is good that these items are at least safe and intact. They are very beautiful."

A softer smile is shown to Carrie then. "How are you? Come from the gym, I assume?" She then asks in that husky accented English of hers.

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Carrie Kelley reaches up to grasp one end of the towel around her shoulders with a little nod of apparent agreement. It wasn't that difficult to figure out where she was going to or from. "Yeah. Just doing some yoga. I've still got more workouts to do still, but I really needed to unwind after my finals today," she explains with a wry chuckle. She lacked any makeup herself, which unfortunately made her look rather pale compared to the warm ginger of her hair. It was the fault of her genetics in that, as were the pair of glasses she wore. Darn eyes.

"He's sentimental in ... weird ways sometimes," Carrie has to admit while regarding the armor. "But he does take care of everything he takes in. Even in the 'work areas' he's got quite the collection of mementos. Which is good I guess." Lightly clearing her throat she shrugs. "I'm doing all right. You? I know things can be odd here... And the Boss can be a handful at times, as I'm sure you're well aware."

She stands there a moment longer a bit stiff as she regards Diana from the corner of her eye. Then she turns fully toward the other woman with a light clearing of her throat. "I was hoping to run into you at some point, actually. I wanted to apologize for my parents at Thanksgiving. I should have stopped them from coming by."

Wonder Woman has posed:
Diana has to gently laugh at the things she says about the boss. "A handful? Yes." She responds quietly, repeating it because it was amusing to her in a charming sort of way. She glances back to the armor display then back to Carrie. "I will survive though, I assure you." She says that in a slightly coy or sassy kind've way, hinting a grin on her lips.

When Carrie mentions her parents and a need to apologize though, Diana has to look to her and tilt her head gently to the right. "Apologize? What on Earth for? I found them to be charming and entertaining. I mean, they seemed a bit eccentric and a little... cliche Gotham? But in a good way, it was endearing. Though also I did notice how uncomfortable they made you seem, which _I_ am sorry that that happens, but I suppose that is the nature of parents in-general."

She straightens her head then and smiles softly to the young woman. "If you were embarrassed by them, you have no need to be, I promise you. I meet many people on a daily basis. They were far far... far... from the worst." And she then shows another little grin.

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Carrie Kelley manages a lopsided grin over the talk of Bruce. Even if she was one of the newer faces in his group, she had dealt with him plenty of times. It's the topic she'd brought up herself that earns a little shake of her head at Diana's assurance that they weren't so bad. "They're not, ultimately. They're just..." Her hand twists in the air trying to find the proper word to describe them. It's hard enough that she lets out a weary sigh. "They've never been interested in my life or knowing about my life until I suddenly know the 'important people' in Gotham. That's what they were always working toward. Getting to be 'in the know' with the upper crust."

A look that was a mix of anger, and disguist, flits over her face before she manages to get it under control. Instead she flashes a grin again. "Still, I suppose things could have been worse. It was a nice evening after all." Clearing her throat awkwardly she glances down the hall, then back, with a small shrug. "Sooo... You've got to be bored to death in this place. If you want I could show you some places I've found that are interesting." Here she pauses, her smile turning far more genuine. "You know he has a horse stable?"

Wonder Woman has posed:
Diana listens closely, probably a better listener than just about anybody around in fact, plus her memory retains every moment as though it happened seconds ago. "I understand how that could be frustrating. They are... glad to have an outlet to interact with you now though, I imagine. You just have to decide if interacting with them is something you want in life... if the memories that it will provide you will be memories that you will want to retain for the rest of your own years." She pauses then. "If they are? Then try to give them what they want, it will make them happier and there-by likely make them easier for you to interact with them." Diana grins lightly. "But if being around them is truly too challenging for you, then just, do your very best, but ultimately do what makes you most happy."

"But, that is just my advice." Diana releases a light sigh then. "Horses, you say? I knew they were on the grounds, but I have not discovered the Stables as of yet. I would be hapy to see them though. I am waiting on a phone call, but it could be another hour or so before I get it. So, yes, I am just burning time in the moment. This house alone is easy to do that in!"

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Carrie Kelley shifts her weight uncomfortably as she stands there. While the advice was good, and solid, it was not a topic that she was very comfortable with. "It's more complicated than just that, I think. They don't seem to be interested in interacting with ME." A small huff of breath is let out blowing her bangs out of her face in the process. "That's something I'm going to have to deal with though."

Her eyes drop down a moment as if seeking out a phone in Diana's hand out of habit before they flit back up again. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize I might be interrupting your work... I can point out the stables if you'd like, but if you're waiting for a call, I can let you focus on that."

Wonder Woman has posed:
Diana has already started to move to take up a side position beside Carrie and she hears the talk of her parents, then glances down at her phone in her hand that is quickly slipped back into the pocket of her black loose-fit slacks. "Do not worry." Diana tells Carrie then, reaching over to offer a soft pat to the other woman's shoulder. "I am here to talk, the phone call is simply about a meeting this coming Monday."

Diana starts to take a step toward the door of this particular Wayne Manor room. "You know, situations like that with parents - or anyone really - often is attributed to a communication break-down, and the simplest solution is to attempt to... reconnect with the persons involved. Your parents in this case. What I mean by that is... they might believe that you, as well, do not like to interact with them and are trying to spare you the discomfort by distancing themselves."

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Carrie Kelley finds herself quietly grinding her teeth in spite of her best intentions not to get annoyed by the topic. A single, deep breath is drawn, and she moves forward to begin leading toward the stables she'd promised to show her to. At least through the inner halls of the manor if not going outside herself. In her current attire, with the current weather outside, that would be a very short trip for her. "Ms. Prince... Diana," she corrects herself before offering the older woman a wan smile.

"My parents would attend parties, and leave me home alone often. They got loans out so they could afford to buy fancy clothes, and jewelry, and bags for themselves so they'd fit the part. When I was nine I started making money by babysitting other kids in the neighborhood so I could afford to pay for my school lunches, and buy myself clothes from the thrift store. They'd leave me voicemails occasionally reminding me not to be late for school, and that they'd be home late. Mom expected dad to leave me money for things, dad expected mom to. I was forgotten most of the time. I'd take odd jobs around the neighborhood, or find things to do after school so I wouldn't have to go home much."

"I know it could have been worse, but I was just an afterthought to them. I always have been. They didn't even remember how old I am when I ran into them again... They thought I was still in high school. So having them show up, now? It's difficult."

Wonder Woman has posed:
Throughout the conversation and topic of Carrie's parents, Diana walks casually along side her. Her hands coming up to interlace her fingers together in front of her lap. She glances over to Carrie, and around the hallways as they go.

"Carrie, it sounds as though your desire to be around them is not a question at all then." She replies. "I am truly sorry that they treated you this way throughout your childhood and into your adulthood. I wish that I could speak to them and make them see reason, make them come to you and apologize for that behavior... But that may be a power even I do not possess."

There's a small pause then as they round a corner. She glances ahead, then back to Carrie. "If I may say so though... Look at how you have turned out." She motions to Carrie with the hand she has closest to the other. "You are a strong and self made woman. You are a member of 'this' family now, and those within it care for you and desire your presence. They desire to know you, be with you and share in experiences together."

"So yes, your parents did poor to you. But you have a lot now to... to enjoy in their place, and -you- earned it." A soft smile is shown. "You do not need to apologize for your parents either. Their mistakes are on them, they are not your burden to bare."

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Carrie Kelley ducks her head slightly as she listens in turn. The corners of her lips quirk into a faint smile that she almost feels guilty for. Almost. "Yeah. They're pretty great, even if I still feel out of place here at times. I know that's not them though. That's me. Just not used to having somewhere with people like this... At least not outside of the theater kids I spent so much time with. This is different." VERY different given their nocturnal activities.

"Thank you for listening to me ramble on about this. The others have been pretty supportive, but they've had issues themselves. I mean, Dick's parents died. Mine are alive at least even if they kind of suck."

Wonder Woman has posed:
Diana softly laughs at the part of this being different. "I did not come from some 'picturesque' idea of a perfect family either you know." She states, glancing then over at Carrie again as they stroll past windows that look out on the rear grounds of Wayne Manor. "A... single mother, with many aunts, no father figure to speak of outside of stories and 'legends'." She grins softly. "I do not think it is a requirement to have such a thing to have a child grow up... Good. In fact, many of the best people I know have grown-up in an atmosphere that helped to... temper them, like a blade is tempered by a blacksmith."

She even motions to a suit of medieval armor with a sword in its gauntlets aimed down toward its base it stands upon. Convenient placement.

"A family like this, like any family for that matter, that you truly do enjoy? You have to treat them like a nice hot bath. You settle into it, you let the warmth and comfort of it soak into you for a time. Then you get out, and go be by yourself for awhile to dry off and recover." She grins, being a bit silly there, entirely on purpose of course.

Carrie Kelley has posed:
There's a slight snort at the way the family is described. Even so it has Carrie grinning. "Well that would explain why Dick had to leave for awhile, as well as Jason and the others," she muses as her grin slowly grows deeper. Without much warning she stops in their trek beside one of the large panel windows that shows the back grounds of the estate. It's here she gestures, pointing off toward a copse of trees that can be seen just atop what amounts to a hill for this area.

"The stables are just down past that. If you look close in the grass there was an actual path at one point. It's just overgrown and not been used in awhile by more than one or two people. I found it while out on a jog one day. The horses are well kept though," she assures with a solemn nod. "By Alfred, and pretty sure Damian. Don't let on that you know though. He's got a soft spot for animals."

Wonder Woman has posed:
"Admittedly I am not that close to Dick or Jason, though I have worked with Dick on a number of occasions, and what I have experienced with Jason is that he has a fun sense of humor, so I would like to get to know them both better... but, everyone is so very busy." She says this as she too stops with Carrie to peer out of this window onto the grounds.

She spies the indicated spot after staring for a moment or two she can make out precisely what Carrie is referring too. "Yes, I see it." She softly says before she looks over to Carrie and shows a big smile at the talk of Damian. "He... is the one I feel I need to spend the most time with. That poor boy, he doesn't realize how adorable he is, in a... way that requires some - lets say - molding, to bring out some of his better elements."

She motions toward the window. "Such as liking animals. That is a very, very good character trait to have, I have discovered. It marks someone has being inherently compassionate toward most living things in life." She shows a hint of a grin again. "Watch out for those who express any distaste toward animals, it means they are up to something."

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Carrie Kelley takes a deep breath as she considers the others and their relationships with Bruce, as well as this whole 'family' she'd become a part of. "He's got anger issues. Jason and Damian both actually... but they're both good deep down. Though I think Jason will be a bit tougher to grab hold of currently." Her eyes roll toward the ceiling with a little derisive snort. "He's got himself a new girlfriend. Which is good in a way. Means he moved on after the last one." She shrugs that notion off in favor of the topic she does know more about.

"There's a lot more to Damian than most people think. You know, he actually came to me asking to be my student in the theater. Before I knew about any of this," she adds with a little wave of her hand indicating not only the mansion but the situation itself. "He just wanted a chance to pretend to be normal. Whatever that is. I try to be that for him when I can. But, yeah, he loves animals. He has several pets and spoils them rotten. He has some other talents as well... but I'll leave that up to you to learn about. It's not fair to him otherwise."

Wonder Woman has posed:
Diana shows a smile to Carrie after she hears the other say that, she can see some of the affection in Carrie's expression on how she speaks of them. "Well." Diana says then. "All in due time. I am here for the foreseeable future, after all." She glances toward the window then and is about to turn to walk again. "Come lets--"

In her pocket her phone rings, and she shows a little wince. "I better take this. It will only be a few minutes, and we can keep walking to the stables. I am sorry, Carrie. Bare with me... this is the fun part of my life."

Diana will have to answer her phone then, where she proceeds to speak in Japanese to someone on the other line. It is a lot of very formal sounding back and forths, with a few jokes or laughs peppering it here and there from the Princess.

Business talks! How delightful!