14639/Bat and Cat X-mas

Bat and Cat X-mas
Date of Scene:	18 December 2022
Location:	Library - Wayne Manor
Synopsis:	Bruce gets an early gift from Selina.
Cast of Characters:	Batman, Catwoman

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Batman has posed:
Finally, Selina and Bruce get a little time to talk quietly. It's evening now, with Wayne Manor warm in the harsh Gotham winter, a welcome respite from the elements. Certainly better than icy rooftops and back alleys.

Bruce is wearing a white cable-knit sweater, blacks and a pair of fuzzy slippers Tim got him a couple of years ago. He invites Selina to sit and pours them both a drink, two fingers of bourbon for him and whatever she pleases for the lady.

"I'm glad you're back in Gotham this year for the holidays," he says.

Catwoman has posed:
Selina Kyle had chatted with Harley while she made snow angels outside, trying to offer her her Christmas gift which was a practical yet cute red peplum coat with white ruffles made to look like a Mrs Clause outfit - which seemed to suit the ever chipper harlequin while keeping her warm too.

Still wearing a white faux fur jacket over her long midnight blue gown, Selina managed to elegantly avoid snow missiles from her friend as she made her way inside the manor to join Bruce and offer him a small gift too. "Well, the times sure have changed. It's been a while since I've been back here. Since we talked instead of fought..You look well, Bruce." she has a thoughtful smile on her lips.

Batman has posed:
Bruce Wayne hands Selina her drink and takes a seat across from her. "I feel...well, I don't know that I feel well. I have a bruised kidney that's healing up and I think I pulled a ligament three nights ago. But nothing debilitating. The work is ever-present," he says.

"But I think I'm doing what I need to do. And I'm glad that I don't have to do it alone anymore," he says. "Maybe I never did. I just thought I did. So yes. I am very glad to see you, Selina," he says.

Catwoman has posed:
Selina Kyle arches a brow at him as she pours herself a drink. "It's the holidays, Bruce. Even Batman deserves to take a break once in a while." she takes a slow sip, crossing her legs as she considers, "Don't you have a whole bat..Family? Get them to patrol the streets, work a little harder while you take a few days off. Quit working so hard." she shrugs, acting casual, though there is concern behind those cool eyes of hers.

She smirks and tilts her head, "Glad to see I'm staying out of trouble for once you mean..?"

Batman has posed:
Bruce Wayne shakes his head, "I can never ask anybody to work harder on my mission than I do. I started this thing, after all," he says. He sits back and takes a little sip. "But I am trying to remember that I'm human. Maybe that's what my body's trying to remind me, too. I'm not Superman or Thor. And I've paid the price for pushing myself too hard before..."

"That said, if you want to make it your mission to help me relax, I'm not going to complain."

Catwoman has posed:
Selina Kyle smirks, rising from the sofa, moving to sit on the arm of his seat, maybe a little too close for comfort, a teasing smile on her lips. "Mmm, how could I say no to that?" she smirks, sliding her hand softly along his arm, before placing the present in his hand. It's not big, but it's got some weight to it. "How about you start by unwrapping this?"

Batman has posed:
Bruce Wayne takes the present and certainly doesn't seem to object to Selina's closer presence. He allows his arm to shift slightly to accommodate her, a hand on the small of her back for a moment before he focuses on the gift.

"I'm tempted to play detective with it and try to solve it with only the box. But that spoils the fun. So all the boys told me when I did it to them at Christmas and birthdays." He begins to unwrap his present carefully, trying not to tear the paper too much.

Catwoman has posed:
Selina Kyle smiles as she watches him more than the gift, leaning into his touch as e unwraps it. "Tsk, Bruce, everything always has to be about business, doesn't it? Just relax and enjoy the surpise." she smiles sweetly at him, and as he opens it he will find a pair of gold cuff links shaped like cats heads with small emerald crystals set in the eyes. "And before you say it, no, I didn't steal them..I used my hard earned cash.."

She pauses a moment, tilting her head as she waits for his reaction. "Okay, yes, I do still perform the occasional burglary outside of Gotham, but only to punish rich villains who deserve it..I'm also stealing less, trying to run fundraisers and put on events to raise awareness about endangered cats. Doesn't quite pay the bills but sometimes it means I don't have to work quite as hard at my..Other 'job'.." hey, at least she's trying to be a good girl.

Batman has posed:
Bruce Wayne knows their worth immediately, of course, but he also knows what it means to get a gift from someone who has been deprived of so much in the world that she felt compelled to take what she wanted by any means necessary.

He smiles slightly, "You don't have to account to me. I know I've made that...I've set myself up as judge of everyone. Even the people I care about. Sometimes I need to remind myself of who the enemy is," he says. "Thank you, very, very much. They're lovely and will surely remind me of you every time I wear them," he says. He takes her hand and softly kisses her knuckles in thanks.

Catwoman has posed:
Selina Kyle chuckles, "Oh,my dear, we both know it's more than that." her dark emerald eyes narrow on him. "You will always be the dark knight! the hero of Gotham who is compelled to stop and punish all criminals - even, especially the most talented cat burglar out there. You know deep down that we will always be on the wrong side of the tracks, and you turn a blind eye to me because of your feelings. But maybe that makes you a hypocrite, so eventually I will have to answer for my crimes like everyone else. Is that about it?"

She turns her hand around, reaching out to grasp his hand, giving it a squeeze. "We will always clash unless I can take the leap- if I take the leap and stop being a criminal. And that's why it never quite worked out with us..At least not yet."

Batman has posed:
Bruce Wayne cocks his head and looks at her with a bit of amusement, "I think that's the way the song has usually gone. I think it might be time for some rewrites," he says, giving her knee a squeeze before she gets up and takes his hand in his, "I've never been afraid to jump and I'm not about to start now," he says. "I'm only annoyed that your own present isn't here yet so that I can give it to you. But in due time. I even picked it out myself, much to Alfred's chagrin," he says. "And I don't know. I think we're doing okay. Maybe not 'worked out'. But nothing really ends."

Catwoman has posed:
Selina Kyle chuckles a bit at. that, peering around with a curious arch of her brow. "Not here yet, hmm? Well now I'm very curious. Mm, but I can wait, I'm in no hurry..I'd rather enjoy my time here.." she practically purrs, reaching up to cup his chin, peering intently into his eyes. "Well, whatever we are, I'm not about to back off now. Not when I have you exactly where I want you." she smiles playfully, mischievously.