9230/Auction Prize

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Auction Prize
Date of Scene: 17 September 2019
Location: Antonio's Midtown, Gotham City
Synopsis: Nat Cranston cashes in on her dinner with Kate Kane at one of Gotham's exclusive restaurants.
Cast of Characters: Batwoman, Shadow




Batwoman has posed:
Just because Kate Kane actually -knows- the winner of the dinner date with her from the Charity Auction doesn't mean she won't pull out all the stops. Besides, most of her interaction with a certain Ms. Cranston happens to be 'professional', which involves masks. Appearances need to be maintained.

The reservation was made somewhat publicly, or at least publicly enough that media leakage was pretty likely. Antonio's Midtown located is near the Gotham Opera House, and happens to be one of the better restaurants in the Tri-State Area. It's also one of the most exclusive.

A stretch limo pulls up to whatever address Natasha is calling 'home' these days, the driver stepping out to wait to open the door.

Shadow has posed:
    Cranston Manor isn't as big or expansive as some billionaires' mansions, but it has that calm gravitas of a building that has been around since before the 20th century began, and has every intentoin of still being here when the 21st century ends.

    It has, however, been kept up to date with the latest in discreet security, and a lesser observer wouldn't even notice the camera tracking the limo's approach.

    Said lesser observer would subsequently be surprised when both the gate and the front door open just as the limo rolls to a halt, and Natasha heads down the short garden path to the outer gate, giving the driver the briefest of smiles before getting into the limousine with an almost casual ease.

Batwoman has posed:
    The driver looks over the guest with a practiced eye before opening the door. He's more than just a driver, of course, but to his eyes the Cranston woman is completely harmless. Which is likely just how she intends to appear.

    Kate is already inside, of course. Wearing a gown of red silk that's both sleeveless and strapless, along with a white stole. There's a slit up one leg (which happens to be facing Natasha as she steps into the limo), showing plenty of long, toned leg and red Jimmy Choo's.

    Offering a warm smile, Kate waits until the door closes to speak. "I must say, Ms. Cranston, you continue to surprise me."

Shadow has posed:
    Natasha smiles back, a necklace of silver and sapphire glittering on top of a black silk qipao with velvet and silver dragon patterns woven through, the whole ensemble carefully arranged to bring out her features the way only incredibly expensive tailoring can manage.

     "I do my humble best, miss Kane," she replies. "It really is a pity you missed the actual auction; Mr. Wayne's catering was second only to his wine collection."

    She sits down across from Kate, not missing a step even as the limo smoothly accelerates into traffic, and crosses her legs. "Speaking of surprises, when will I find out where I'm to be taken for dinner?"

    As she leans back, a nondescript car that had been trying to discreetly tail the limousine for the past three blocks doesn't see the red light in time and gets sideswiped by another driver who'd expected the right of way. No one is seriously hurt, but between pacifying the irate driver and explaining himself to the equally irate traffic cop, Francis Peterson, premier rich-people-chaser of the New York Confidential, isn't going to have time to write tonight's column on the rich and useless and their escapades...

Batwoman has posed:
    "I was unfortunately detained." Kate replies with a knowing lift of a brow. After all, SOMEONE had to stay vigilant that evening with so many of Gotham's crime-fighting set at the party. "Although I've browed Bruce's wine cellar, so that's certainly an impressive endorsement." She crosses her legs as well, causing the gown to respond quite favorably.

    "We'll be taking the -long- way to Midtown, and Rupert is a very good driver. You familiar with Antonio's, near the Opera House? The reservation was public, but the press won't find out about it until tomorrow morning." She flashes a red-lipped smile. "After an event as public as Bruce's Auction, it's always nice for the people of Gotham to see at least a glimpse of the follow-up."

    "You look wonderful, by the way. And thank you for bidding."

Shadow has posed:
    Natasha smiles again. "It was a pleasure. And yes, I'm familiar with Antonio's. Won their second Michelin star last year, I believe; given their usual wait list I suspect you either made the seating arrangements well before the auction happened or threw enough money at the problem to buy the building they're in..."

Batwoman has posed:
    Kate laughs softly, the stole resting low onto the crooks of her elbows instead of covering her bared shoulders. "I'm not as rich as Bruce, actually. And -do- give a girl a little credit for planning ahead, even if I -may- have spent extra to get a select table." She smiles. "Something in the back, so that people can see us enter together but we'll still have enough privacy for a conversation."

Shadow has posed:
    Natasha's laughter is a little less quietly constrained. "That should at least give them something juicy for the paparazzi," she replies after quieting down a bit. "I'm already looking forward to reading the speculation as to what we'll be discussing..."

Batwoman has posed:
    The limo is quiet and smooth as they ride along. Kate DID say that they'd be taking the long way, after all. "As Kate, I'm all about image and presentation." she replies wryly. Watching her dinner date for a few moments in silence, she offers. "And I'd expect that there will be plenty of speculation as to whether dinner will conclude with a good-night kiss. As well as thoughts of dessert."

Shadow has posed:
    Natasha nods a bit more soberly, trusting Kate's implicit promise that this ride is secure from prying eyes and ears, although she does raise an eyebrow in the direction of the driver's compartment.

    "Something similar applies, yes," she agrees. "It's taken me a while to make sure that the Board knows to take me seriously; I'd get entirely too much pushback on getting anything done if they were convinced I'm a *completely* brainless dilettante. But the occasional night on the town spending more money than some people make in a year on complete trivialities goes a long way towards being regarded as 'rich but useless'..."

    She laughs again at Kate's sly comment. "Oh, that should be hilarious. And now I'm wondering whether the big scandal will be who Kate Kane is dining with tonight, or why Natasha Cranston spent a ridiculous amount of money to have dinner with Miss Kane..."

Batwoman has posed:
    Kate follows the glance toward the driver's compartment, giving a small nod of reassurance. Touching a button on the armrest, a divider panel slides up smoothly to close off the driver with a solid *clunk*. "Well I assure you, Ms. Cranston, that my affections are not for sale." she replies with playful smoothness. "Although your bid was a pleasant surprise, I must say." Uncrossing her legs, she leans in a little more closely.

    "And if the press is speculating over the romantice lives of Gotham socialites, it only means that the actions of Gotham's vigilantes will be pushed to the back page."

Shadow has posed:
    Natasha smirks. "And I assure /you/, miss Kane, that I've never felt insecure enough to believe I'd /need/ to purchase someone's affections," she replies with the easy confidence of someone who knows damn well that they're young, rich, and gorgeous, and will be all three for quite some time yet.

    "But for now, I believe we have a dining engagement to get to..."

Batwoman has posed:
    Kate laughs at that, nodding. "I wasn't implying that you did." she replies. "And yes, we should be there soon." It's not long before the limo stops, the door opening a few moments later. Kate gestures for Natasha to disembark first. And once the driver's helped one woman out he does the same for the other.

    Antonio's features a long canopy over a red carpet, along with a valet for parking (for those without their own limo drivers.). The exterior of the restaurant is refreshingly devoid of paparazzi. Kate offers her arm to Natasha, all smiles and sunshine... just in case. And, well, because she's genuinely enjoying the company.

Shadow has posed:
    Natasha takes it with the grace and poise of someone well experienced with red carpet walks and high society life, smiling back at Kate as the pair walks down the carpet toward the waiting Maitre'D.

Batwoman has posed:
    Sure enough, the pair is led through two large dining rooms on the way to their table. Heads turn and voices murmur, but before anyone can so much as produce a cellphone camera the two women are being seated. Chairs are pulled out for each, with Natasha being seated before Kate. Menus are produced, and then the pair is left momentarily.

    "I really am glad you won the bid." Kate offers. "And thank you in advance for bearing with the little bit of required public silliness."

Shadow has posed:
    Natasha milks the walk for all it's worth, favouring various onlookers with the kind of serene smug smile that makes people contemplate the virtue of the guillotine before turning a much more earnest one on Kate when the pair is finally seated. "You're entirely welcome. I admit, I had several motives; firstly, I was deliberately driving up everyone else's bids to help the auction along. Second, I noticed that that odious little toad Mike Stevens was likely to win the bid, and I wouldn't wish his company on my worst enemy..."

    "Third," she continues as she studies the menu, "This is exactly the kind of frivolous waste of money my image really needs to keep my cover. If I'm too constantly serious, sooner or later someone competent is going to start looking for the /actual/ story as opposed to what I wore last night when I went to some scandalous nightclub..."

Batwoman has posed:
    Once they're seated, Kate rests chin upon hand and gives Natasha her close attention. "Mike Stevens? Seriously?" She wrinkles her nose at the very thought, then chuckles softly. "Perhaps I should be thanking you all the more." The redhead smiles again, leaning back to sit a touch more properly. "So you're taking a page out of my book, then? I should be even *more* flattered."

    Lashes lower and Kate reaches for the wine list. "But regardless of your reasons, I do want to thank you in advance for your company. Being a fabulously frivolous bachelorette is a lot more lonely than people realize."

Shadow has posed:
    "And only /pretending/ to be one is possibly even more so," Natasha murmurs softly, nodding her agreement before turning her head to smile brightly and slightly vapidly at the waiter padding their way with the house wine and glasses.

Batwoman has posed:
    Kate is skilled enough to notice the subtle changes, and she's giving her dinner date a knowing smile as the waiter retreats. "One of the days I want to learn how you do that." she offers. "Turn it on and off, I mean. I've known some -skilled- actresses in my time, but you shift so smoothly between expressions." She coughs softly, tilting her head a little. "But enough shop talk."

Shadow has posed:
    Natasha smiles again. "Indeed. We can discuss weightier things later; right now we're about to dine in one of Gotham's most exclusive restaurants, and not giving the food the attention it deserves would be a crime in and of itself..."

Batwoman has posed:
    "Indeed it would be." Kate agrees. Wine is delivered, opened, and poured before the two are left to their conversation for a time. Kate lifts her glass. "Good food and pleasant company." she offers as a toast.

Shadow has posed:
    "May we never want for either," Natasha replies, her glass clinking against Kate's.