Chapter Text
Bruce dislikes galas.
They are a important part of his cover, but he never enjoyed them even before he became Batman. Too many cameras and too many people for his tastes.
There is a new one in attendance today.
Vlad Masters. A billionaire, CEO Of VladCo.
Known for being eccentric and reclusive. No family on record, but has a teenage boy as a plus-one. A family friend's son, if the story Vlad is currently telling to the circle of people around him is true.
Vlad Masters, billionaire, CEO and family friend of the Fentons.
The Fentons. Known for their interesting methods and choice of subject. Ecto-science. The study of ghosts. Mostly manufacturing anti-ghost weapons as of late. Controversial and largely ignored in the scientific community. Based in Amity Park.
(A potential threat. Especially with the focus on weaponry. Bruce deals with enough mad scientists to recognize a potential problem when he sees one.)
(He'll have to ask one of his children to look into it.)
They have two children, Jasmine and Daniel Fenton.
Daniel Fenton. Currently to the side of Vlad, looking deeply nervous and uncomfortable in a suit that is perfectly tailored to him. The suit would imply a familiarity with these events but the behavior and his previous attendance implies otherwise. Masters seems the type to refuse to let himself be seen with someone in less then the best and he seems to enjoy showing Daniel off to the surrounding guests. The suit was likely made for Daniel, for this event. Masters slings an arm around Daniel's shoulder, gesturing with a flair of drama as he continues speaking about Daniel's intellect. Daniel flinches a bit at the contact and looks abjectly miserable.
(Bruce sympathizes.)
But the tightness of his body and the way his hands are balled would imply more than discomfort. Bruce slowly makes his way through the crowd, moving close enough to see without alerting the boy or Vlad.
Bruces sees a smudge of red under Daniel's suit and the suppressed flinch when Vlad squeezes his shoulder.
(Injured. Likely untreated or poorly treated.)
Bruce is watching Vlad when someone pushes their way through the crowd to Daniel. A teenage girl, and a familiar one.
Samantha Manson.
The Mansons are regulars at Wayne galas, but Samantha was not on the guest list for tonight. A late minute addition. Given what he knows on her feeling towards galas, the attendance is odd.
Daniel brightens up considerably on her approach. Still held tight in the pain he was no doubt in but relaxed by a few notches. A friend then, or at least an ally.
Samantha's eyes flicker quickly to the cuffs of Daniel's suit.
(Perceptive. Concerned. A potential source of information.)
Samantha pushes through the circle surrounding Vlad with well-concealed urgency. Quickly, looping her arm in his, she pulls him towards one of the side rooms, off the main ballroom. Bruce gets another glimpse of red and green on Daniel's skin before Samantha finishes pulling him through the door.
Vlad's eyes flicker with something dark as he tracks the teenagers exit but he turns back to entertaining his crowd.
(Potential threat.)
At least this gala is providing something of interest to look into.
He follows them slowly.
Both to avoid attention and to try and wait till they are in a more clear position. Walking in on them immediately would just result in a easily excusable situation. He needs some amount of proof that this is a serious situation. What he saw of the wounds alone would do that but getting a clearer picture would be helpful.
So he wanders over towards the door and, in a slightly exaggerated motion, pulls out his phone. Brushing off the person in front of him and apologizing, he quickly moves into the room while pulling the door shut behind him. Blocking the view from the room into the main hall.
He's glad he did.
Both to allow the kid some privacy and to avoid someone starting a scene. Which they certainly would be with the state this kid is in.
He has cuts and scrapes across his forearms, large patches of burns across his shoulder and chest and bruising across his body. Bruises that form the shape of a large hand.
(Bruce remembers the way Vlad squeezed Daniel's shoulder and feels his stomach turn.)
Underneath those, is a patchwork of scars. Scars not unlike Bruce's own, gotten from years of battles and fights. Mostly burns or scarring from energy blasts but Lichtenburg scars spanning most of his torso as well.
Longer-term danger. Scars years old alongside injuries inflicted today.
Samantha was in the middle of wrapping the cuts on his arms with a practiced precision when Bruce entered.
Another point towards longer-term danger, she was prepared for it and knew to look for injuries Daniel hadn't noticed. The image Bruce is left with is an unpleasant one, even lacking the details.
They notice him quickly. Faster than most people would. They stiffen, defensive.
Then Daniel quickly pulls his shirt and suit jacket back on, glaring at him with distrust. Samantha quickly pulls the first aid kit and the used supplies into her purse. The tension is thick.
Bruce quickly has to reign in his instinct to try and ask what happened, to protect, to help. He isn't Batman right now. He's Bruce, billionaire, playboy and the best way he can help these kids is to gather more information. He smiles, forcing his face to that vapid and harmless look as he rambles about taking a call.
Daniel looks no less on edge but snarks at him about knocking and doing your shady business in another side room cause this one is taken.
Bruce has to hold back a laugh at the snark. He moves to leave the room and hears a muttered comment about goddamn fruitloops. Bruce likes this kid.
He ducks into another side room and dials Alfred. Alfred picks up with his normal poise and aren't you at a gala now sir?
Bruce tells him to remind him to look into the Fentons later.
(A case. A injured kid, long-term danger, Vlad Masters, mad scientists and Amity Park.)
Sounds like an interesting puzzle and Bruce now has a kid to help. Perhaps, two or three kids depending on the nature of the situation.
This gala had been productive after all.