Summary:Needing a gown for Helena to attend the Wakandan event, Bruce and Helena head to McCabe Industries. Log Info:Storyteller: None |
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The car that pulls out in front of Mari's office is one of a classic design - it rings back to the days of old wealth and new technology. As it comes to a halt momentary on the curb, an older looking gentleman steps out, dressed in his chaffeur's jacket and hat as he comes around to the back of the car to open the door, and smiles within. He offers his hand to Helena to help her out, even if she doesn't need it.
After Helena, Bruce exits the car, stretching out. "We shouldn't be long, Alfred." he offers to the man with a smile.
"Very good, Master Bruce." Alfred offers, a smile of approval at Bruce taking his daughter out instead of regulating it to Selina or someone else.
Bruce does open the child for his daughter, and chuckles. "Perhaps after this, we can get a bite to eat?" he offers to her. "I'm sure there's a place around here you haven't tried yet." he offers as he heads towards the reception desk. "Is Miss McCabe in? My name is Bruce Wayne. This is my daughter Helena, the appointment's in her name."
Helena takes Alfred's hand as she gets out, though it's a light touch, more for show than for any real need. It makes him feel needed! "I don't know about haven't tried, but there's an amazing Mexican place a couple blocks down," she suggests. Because Bruce Wayne snacking on the complimentary chips and salsa is just what the world needs.
"The tacos are to die for. Hi," she smiles swiftly to the receptionist as they approach, though she's clearly distracted by the things on display. So much pretty!
The receptionist, a rather buff good looking young man, smiles at Bruce and Helena as they enter. "Welcome to McCabe Industries." His voice, a pleasant baritone. "Ms McCabe? Just a moment…" The suit the young man is wearing is divine, a lovely navy blue - so dark it's nearly black - with a crisp white shirt underneath. No tie, the collar is open.
"Ms McCabe your 2pm is here." That's into the bluetooth headset he's wearing.
"Thank Matthew." Comes Mari's voice from the stairs that lead up to the second floor. The woman is tall-ish, dark skinned with hair that falls to just below her shoulders. Her outfit, a smart business pants suit, looks a little out of place in the fashion showroom, but certainly not in a boardroom.
"Mister Wayne, a pleasure to see you again. I trust your back recovered from the other night?" Helena gets a smile as Mari holds her hand out to her first "And you must Miss Wayne. A pleasure to meet you as well."
"Tacos?" that is said to Helena as if she was speaking a foreign language. Yes, Bruce Wayne knows what a taco is, but. "Perhaps I will try the carne arsada. No chips and salsa, most likely. It's just not in his polishing." He's about to say more, when there's the voice of Mari coming down the stairs, and he offers a grin towards the woman as as she arrives and mentions his back.
"Yes.. I fear that my days of wandering from parties with some beautiful woman are long replaced with the days of having to go because of an old injury." Bruce admits with a hint of playful chagrin. "But I read that the situation was handled by the SHIELD agents that were present. Excellent that they were there." Turning to Helena after shaking Mari's hand, he nods. "Yes, this is Helena Wayne, my daughter. We are going to a reception at the Wakandan Embassy, and I thought it would be time for her to make a more proper debute outside of just being the heir to the family fortune, and as her own woman."
"Tacos. They're delicious." There's a spark of mischief in Helena's eyes when she suggests it - making her father relax is another thing she inherited from her mother.
"A pleasure, of course," she smiles warmly to Mari, stepping forward to take her hand in a quick, warm grip. "I have to say, I loved your spring collection. I'm really looking forward to seeing what you bring to fashion week. Your stuff is great, I love how it manages to look feminine and clean but still reflects a sense of power and a practical aesthetic."
She pauses, clearing her throat with a slight flush. "Sorry, I am really excited."
"Ah well, it was my loss." Mari teases Bruce with a mock sigh. "And it was handled by SHIELD of course. And Batman." No mention of her little part in the affair, though there were a few photo's that made the headlines.
"Taco's are indeed delicious. Are you going to try the place down the road? The guacamole is simply to die for." Someones a fan. "You're too kind, Miss Wayne but I'm pleased you think that, it's the balance I try to achieve. One can have a presence, a serious presence, and still look damn good doing that."
"Let me look at you… Do you have a favourite colour or style?" Poor Helena is made to walk and turn, while Mari watches.
"I've been thinking on the wearable tech, Mister Wayne, and I'm keen to speak to your man. I've got some ideas that I think will work nicely."
"Ah, Lucius. I have his card." Bruce responds as he chuckles. "I believe she just wants to see if I can actually eat a taco." he responds coyly to Mari as he moves aside for Helena to show herself off for the designer. "She still ribs me that I eat pizza with a knife and fork." There's a shrug of his shoulders at that as he reaches into his side pocket.
Taking out his phone, he holds it for a moment, scrolling through it, before he gives a single swipe, and 'ding' Mari has a message with the information and direct line to Lucius Fox, chairman of WayneTech. "He already knows you may be in contact with him."
"Wearable tech?" Helena's ears perk up at the mention, even though she's mid-turn. "I'd love to hear about that." The truth is, Helena's built like a model. Tall, slender, all arms and legs, and every bit of it toned without looking too obviously muscular. She's an easy fit for sample sizes. "I usually go for solid colors over patterns, dark or white. Classic, rather than trendy. Think…Ralph Lauren or Tommy Hilfiger," she summarizes her usual fashion. She seems to have an actual grasp of it even, rather than the usual fashion for status impact.
"You're putting me in touch with the infamous Lucius himself?" Mari's brow rises, as she give Bruce a glance. Her attention though is all on Helena as the woman moves. "You have a grace all of your own, Miss Wayne. It's good that you know what you prefer, as well."
"Sarah? Bring out the Elysium and Greta, please."
"Right away, Mari …" It's casual but then Mari had told Bruce to call her that as well and she doesn't seem to be one to stand on ceremony.
Sarah, a young brunette who comes bustling out, with a rack with two dresses on it. "Sarah will help you change, Miss Wayne. But I think one of these might be to your liking. If not, I've got more ideas for you, but lets see what really speaks to you, shall we?"
Helena can still hear the conversation as Sarah moves her away. "Yes, wearable tech. Given it's the 'thing', I'm looking to diversify my offerings and make tech another fashion accessory." beat "You might like the features of the fabric I've used for these dresses, Mister Wayne. They're a fibre that offers a degree of bullet resistance…"
There's a nod of his head as Bruce considers. "I had been considering that since the attack on the school. There could be situations where that would be helpful." comes the admission with a frown. "I've had her attend self-defense and kidnap deterrence courses. I haven't quite, but have considered having a bodyguard assigned to her." he says with a sigh.
And in the back of his mind, he considers. Perhaps Cassandra could… it's something to consider for later.
On the subject of wearable tech, Bruce nods, giving his daughter a smile. "Yes, I had a previous discussion with Miss McCabe about perhaps making it so that some of the WayneTech gear could be used in a fashion to be incorporated into clothing. Something like what Google tried with their glasses, but more streamlined and personalized."
Helena disappears with Sarah, already cheerfully chatting with an introducing herself to her as if they're old friends. She's already looking at everything on the rack, too.
They're not gone long before there's a low whistle that Bruce can recognize as Helena's. "We should totally show him," she grins wickedly at Sarah. That's all the warning Bruce gets before she steps out in a dress that is, well…it definitely gets across the point that she's an adult.
Heavy black lace, with just enough shimmer to suggest fine beading throughout, fits her like a second skin. Sleeveless, the neckline dives nearly to her navel, the fabric clinging to her waist and hips until it bells out at the bottom in a fall of fabric that seems heavy despite its sheerness.
"Mari, please." The dark skinned woman says to Bruce. "I dress a lot of high profile people and safety is a primary concern. If I could think of a way to embed personal shields in my creations, I would do that too. Beautiful and practical, if you know what I mean."
The mention of the attack on the school has Mari frowning slightly as she glances to the dressing room where Helena is "I'm glad she's alright." the ex-model murmurs. But then louder "A bit like Google, yes. The tech exists today, smart watches and the like. But they're so ugly and I don't see why a piece in my line couldn't include that."
When Helena steps forth, Mari beams. "Absolutely stunning…" she says as circles the younger woman, adjusting the fabric a little here and there. There's a cheeky look when looks to Bruce, as she anticipates his reaction.
"How is that supposed to protect against anything short of a stiff breeze?" Bruce asks, eyes widening as when she went in, Helena went in, she was that thirteen year old girl that held her dad's hand and slightly hid behind him at the first day of school, into the blossom from that bud of a vibrant and beautiful young woman that one day will take over the legacy of Wayne and the Batman.
"Maybe I should remember that you're grounded." he says teasingly, before taking on a more serious pull on his line of his lips. "How does it feel?" he asks Helena, settling his hands over his chest thoughtfully. He's not going to say no - "You look so much like your mother." he says quietly, reaching up to brush at one of his eyes for a moment.
"Well, the hope is that we don't get shot at while meeting an ambassador," Helena smirks at her father, turning a small circle. "It feels great. Falls perfectly, stays in place the right way. Breathable." She winks at Mari at the last one. "For all it looks like it isn't much, it fits as comfortably as jeans and a t-shirt, honestly."
When she sees the eye-wiping, she sighs, rolling her eyes with a fond smile. "Dad, it's not a wedding dress. Relax."
"Well, if she gets shot where the fabric covers…" Mari just grins. The response was everything she'd hope for and more. Sarah surreptitiously offers Bruce a tissue as she goes about tidying a display.
"I'm glad you like it, Miss Wayne. Would you like to like to look at some others? I don't think they're better than this though. And don't forget, it also has pockets."
Pockets. On a dress. Who would have thought?
It was allergies, really! Bruce will go down with that ship, thank you very much. "If you like it sweetheart, we'll take it." he says with a smile towards the pair. "It's just surprising when you have those moments when you realize it's not your little girl anymore." With that, he's working to start to prepare his own pocketbook to deal with the bill that this will cover.