7712/So About That Interview...

So About That Interview...
Date of Scene:	02 June 2019
Location:	Batcave - Wayne Manor
Synopsis:	With Carrie providing moral support, Stephanie approaches Bruce about her media gaffe. He lets her live to fight another day.
Cast of Characters:	Spoiler, Carrie Kelley, Batman

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Spoiler has posed:
If the interview was heard, the intervening time between the broadcast and when the Batcave's security systems registered Stephanie's motorcycle arriving at the manor, suggested a few speed ordinances were probably broken in the transit. Cameras would show she'd parked at the Manor, but after standing there for a bit, went over to sit on a bench in a rather morose posture. Where she talked with Carrie who pulled in to the Manor not long after. After a conversation that lasted 15 or 20 minutes at most, Stephanie rose and they came inside, making their way down to the Batcave. There's just the smallest amount of red around Stephanie's eyes, not enough for most to pick up on. But then there are people who are far more observant than most.

Stephanie emerges at the bottom of the stairs, walking with a stiff-leggedness that speaks of her reluctance. But walking just the same. She glances around the cave before asking in a soft voice, "Bruce? Are you here?"

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Carrie Kelley follows alongside and after Stephanie. When the other marches down the stairs she's right behind as if she were escorting an inmate to death row. Or at least to face the piper that was known as Batman in regards to this topic. Her own expression is a bit tired, even sympathetic, yet her jaw is set stiff as she had an idea of what might be coming for poor Stephanie. Still. That was one of the lessons she'd already had drilled into her: No Press.

Batman has posed:
     'If ya don't mind me sayin'." Though she doesn't wait for a response, "I think things have gotten worse. To be honest. From my side of things. Corrupt politicians? Check. Starvin' children? Check. Run away buses with people strapped to bombs? Check. If ya think about it, really, many of us would get terribly bored in a city without no Bats. It ain't like the coppers are a real difficulty. Bribe some, kill some, scare the rest till they don't bother you no more. They can't even shoot fer poopsicles. No where else does a woman wit' a mallet even have a fightin' chance ta cause a ruckus. Ya think the Avengers would allow that in New York? Or that Superman...' "Computer...STOP!" The voice of Bruce Wayne cutting through the breathy-ditzy recorded voice of Harley Quinn.

  At the Batcomputer, stands the silhouette that strikes fear into the Gotham underworld. Above the cape are reinforced pauldrons on each shoulder, and looking up at the screen are the two spiked ears of the cowl. As he turns, his light blue eyes pierce through the eyelets of the cowl. He didn't speak, only gazing at the two ladies that made their way down to his lair. The armored batsuit on full display and the gold bat on his chest caught what stray rays of light there were in the batcave.

Spoiler has posed:
Stephanie's eyes have a morose look to them as she hears the audio. She actually hasn't heard it, other than live. And that was bad enough. She bites her lips and then draws a deep breath that rattles as it goes into her lungs. The blonde walks over to stand before Batman, though it's pretty obvious she'd rather be about anywhere other than here right now. She only averts her eyes from him for a moment before looking over to meet his gaze.

"I screwed up. Badly," she says. Stephanie bites down on her lips again. "I..." her words choke off as she finally has to look away from his piercing gaze. She runs one hand through her hair, but no matter where she looks there aren't any words. "Sorry doesn't cut it, I know," she says, finally, voice quiet.

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Carrie Kelley comes to stand a short distance behind Stephanie. She lets the other go first... This was her issue after all. Her presence was merely moral support to do the right thing. Crossing her arms over her chest she glances somberly at Stephanie, then toward Batman to see his reaction to her being there. A soft sigh is exhaled, and she braces herself even though she knew it wasn't going to be her that was yelled at. The last time it had come to someone about to be punished by him, Damian had run away for quite awhile. She's expecting the worst.

"There has to be some way we can work this to our favor. Somehow." It's a suggestion, but one she hasn't really had time to think about just yet.

Batman has posed:
     Bruce turns to look at Carrie, giving her a piercing gaze for a moment before returning to Stephanie. "Why? What, exactly, in anything I've ever said to you made you think that going on that show would be okay? In ANY regard?" Batman asks, turning his back and facing the computer, pressing a button on the backside of the cowl, and the mask loosening, allowing Bruce to take it off. "I thought you were ready for something more..."

Spoiler has posed:
Stephanie's heart would drop to the bottom of her chest, but it was already there. "Nothing. I don't have an excuse. I was going to ask Barbara if we could go speak with Harley together," Stephanie says softly. "While she was there, controlled. And, I saw the invite and... and I was stupid and impulsive," Stephanie says quietly.

She runs her fingers through her hair again. Her weight shifts from side to side in nervousness. She lifts her eyes to Bruce's, but can't hold his gaze for very long before dropping her eyes again. The blonde college student looks more miserable than Carrie has ever seen her. Bruce? More miserable than any time save one.

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Carrie Kelley uncrosses her arms to hold up palms open wide with lips pursed. It was just a suggestion and she was trying to help after all. The gesture is obvious though--she's backing out of the convo as much as she can. Though it really was hard.

Batman has posed:
     Bruce turns again, back to the two. "There are times where you can be impulsive. But this was not a good choice. Our power comes from being elusive, and putting yourself in that situation only hurt our cause. We do not need a public face, we do not need to give interviews, and we certainly do not need to indulge reporters attempting to play Doctor Phil with one of the most dangerous people in Gotham."

  "You're going to have to prove to me you can do better, Stephanie." Bruce sighs, taking a moment to back off, and sit down at the batcomputer.

Spoiler has posed:
Stephanie stands quietly listening to Bruce. Her eyes lift back to him after the first few words. She looks like a defendant in a trial who thinks she knows the verdict already is just waiting for the judge to confirm it. Hearing him state how she's hurt their cause twists her insides even worse than they already were. Than they have been since she realized that fact very early during the interview, but feared walking out on it would be even worse than staying.

"I'd like to prove it to you," Stephanie says. "I /will/ prove it to you," she tells him a little more forcefully. A bit of hope finally starts to creep in that she isn't going to be cut loose for her dumb mistake.

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Wait. Was Bruce beign somewhat easy on her? Was he giving her a chance? Carrie resists a splitting grin but it doesn't really work. Instead she gives a double-thumbs up. Not at Stephanie, but at Bruce, approving of him being willing to give Stephanie a chance.

Batman has posed:
     Bruce starts to type at the large computer's console. "Good." He comments, not having looked at Carrie's gesturing. "And Spoiler."

  "Do not do this again. There will not be a third chance." He comments, turning around the chair and continuing to type at the console. He continues working, but he's apparently said his piece.

Spoiler has posed:
Stephanie Brown finally lets her held breaths escape her, though keeps them quiet. "I won't," she agrees before drawing a breath back in. "Thanks, Bruce," she says softly, and then steps back away from where he sits at the Batcomputer. Likely wanting to get out of there before he might decide to change his mind.

The blond steps away and turns to look back to Carrie. The blue eyes are still showing the emotional turmoil inside, even though some of the worst of it has been taken off. The feelings of guilt for letting them down aren't going to go away anytime soon, that is for sure.

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Carrie Kelley still looks as if she might be proud of Bruce. This time he didn't just go off the handle, at least not completely. Maybe it was because Stephanie was truly apologetic. When she turns around again she steps forward to give her a quick hug. "I'll help where I can. We're all in this together after all," she assures with a grin.