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Post by Oracle on Feb 20, 2009 2:23:41 GMT -8
The dinning hall was warm with laughter by the time Barbara Gordon rolled up to the entry way. The chill from the outside wind had crept under her long forest green gown and to her back making her shiver slightly.
She looked up to see a smiling gentleman in a black and white tuxedo returning the smile. She bowed her head respectfully to him. "I'm meeting someone here? A Mr. Luthor?"
The greeter's eyes widened as he heard the words being uttered from her lips. So this what the talk of the evening was about? The waiter could already see the swimming eyes of the hidden media hounds amongst the crowd when she uttered the name Luthor.
"Right this way, Miss." he said, walking her into the back of the room to a table that seemed to be conveniently out of the way.
"Your guest has arrived, Mr. Luthor."
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Post by Lex Luthor on Feb 20, 2009 2:34:18 GMT -8
Luthor turned to see Barbara Gordon and gave her his best smile. He looked back to the man he'd been talking to, told him he would speak with him after the weekend, and then gave Barbara his full attention. He rose and waved the maître d' away. Taking Barbara's hand, he greeted her warmly.
"Ms. Gordon, it is a pleasure to see you. Please, can I get you a drink?"
Luthor took his seat after he was sure Barbara was situated, and beckoned their server and looked to his guest to see what she would be having.
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Post by Oracle on Feb 20, 2009 2:37:11 GMT -8
Barbara's kind eyes turned to him, still having to wonder why she agreed to have dinner with the man in the first place. She wasn't too wild on his politics, though she had to admit for a lot of the bad that he'd done... he did do quite a world of good.
"Yes, please!" she grinned enthusiastically. "Campaign would be lovely." Something told her she was going to need a few glasses of the stuff.
"You look positively handsome this evening." she complimented. "Thank you for inviting me here tonight."
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Post by Lex Luthor on Feb 20, 2009 2:44:06 GMT -8
"A bottle of champagne," he told the server, nodding to him in dismissal.
He looked at her with a bit of a smug smile and straightened his tie.
"I'm glad you approve. I admit, I was a little unsure as to which tie to choose this evening. But I must say, you look absolutely radiant. That dress is very becoming."
The champagne arrived, and quite promptly, their glasses being filled to the brim. He raise his glass to her.
"What shall we toast to?"
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Post by Oracle on Feb 20, 2009 2:47:32 GMT -8
Barbara's cheeks felt hot but was completely unaware that she was blushing. She gingerly picked up the glass and thought for a moment. A toast? Oh now there was a question. "To an evening filled with smiles and joy?" She smiled sheepishly. That was definitly going to be one to put down. Smiles and joy? Oh cripes. Was she trying to be a Care Bear now?
"A wonderful evening." she quickly corrected, not wanting to sound like a fool before tipping her glass in question to him.
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Post by Lex Luthor on Feb 20, 2009 2:55:58 GMT -8
"To a wonderful evening." He let their glasses clink and took a sip of the champagne. "Excellent."
He took one more sip, and set his glass on the table, looking at her to try and sense her enjoyment. Then he began to make conversation.
"So, Barbara. Tell me, how are you enjoying Metropolis?"
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Post by Oracle on Feb 20, 2009 3:00:14 GMT -8
She took a sip of her glass and nodded. "I love it. I have a great loft with a fantastic view. I have the Daily Planet's golden globe in the east and Lexcorp toward the south." She pushed herself in closer toward the table to get more comfortable.
Grabbing ahold of her folded napkin she set it in her lap, just in case the campaign decided to spill. That wouldn't be good if it did, that's for sure.
"It's a definite change from the hard gloom and crime of Gotham."
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Post by Lex Luthor on Feb 20, 2009 3:06:57 GMT -8
The smirk again, at the mention of his company...
"It sounds like a wonderful place to live, in between the two landmarks of the city. I do love Metropolis. It's been very good to me over the years."
He took a sip.
"On occasion I wonder what it would be like if I called Gotham home rather than Metropolis. I like to think that I would be able to help their situation. No disrespect to Bruce Wayne, but I can't help but think he sometimes does more harm than good. I wish he would take things more seriously... like I do."
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Post by Oracle on Feb 20, 2009 3:12:16 GMT -8
Barbara tried her hardest to fight back a laugh. And boy did she do a good job. "Well.. Gotham has had your assistance in the past and I've seen exactly what you did in that situation first hand. A lot more people would have died if it weren't for your assistance during the quake. "
Barbara's finger rolled along the rim of her glass. "I don't think that Mr. Wayne doesn't take his job seriously... I just think the job is too big for one man to handle. No one man can play God over the city. It can be inspired and helped by one, lead on and nurtured by another... but for one person to do all of it? That's too much for one to handle."
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Post by Lex Luthor on Feb 20, 2009 3:18:48 GMT -8
"Yes, I did do my best to help during that terrible situation. I can only imagine what that was like for the people who were there before I arrived. You, your father, the rest of those innocents..."
Luthor raised an eyebrow at her comment about playing God.
"No one can play God? You must not have met our Man of Steel."
Another sip.
"I do my best do help my city through my company. I create jobs, I donate money, I donate my time... and Superman flies in the sky, swooping down and winning the hearts and minds of millions because they think he represents 'truth' and 'justice.' What they don't realize is that I represent the American way... capitalism. People seem to be ashamed of that these days. It's a real shame."
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Post by Oracle on Feb 20, 2009 3:25:32 GMT -8
Barbara chuckled weakly. "I have met Superman... I was actually saved by him when he randomly showed up in Gotham some time ago. I got extremely lucky..." Her eyes carried back to his and watched him attentively as he spoke.
She had to admit the man really did have gorgeous eyes. When she realized he stopped talking, she found herself still finding herself partially lost in his eyes. She blinked quickly, hoping he didn't catch it. "You DO help a lot with the city... With cities.... especially when you were in office.
"Some people don't tend to look at things in the big picture. You can't let that get to you." she smiled gently toward him.
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Post by Lex Luthor on Feb 20, 2009 3:33:01 GMT -8
"I appreciate that Barbara, thank you. I didn't mean to go on that way. Actually, we've been sitting here in a restaurant this whole time and I never asked you if I can get you anything to eat."
Luthor called upon the server again, who handed them both menus.
"Please, anything you like."
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Post by Oracle on Feb 20, 2009 3:38:52 GMT -8
Barbara waved him off passively. "Don't worry about it. I'm sorry-- I kind of found myself lost in you." She passed a moment to look over the menu and realized where her wording paused at. She smacked herself mentally. "YOUR words. I found myself lost in your words."
She groaned silently and allowed herself to look over the menu. She was blowing it. "The.. garlic chicken looks lovely." she said finally.
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Post by Lex Luthor on Feb 20, 2009 3:46:18 GMT -8
He tried to hide his smile behind his menu. He did love the effect he had on women sometimes.
"That could be risky, depending on who is in the kitchen. I'll find out. If Alfredo is running the kitchen tonight you'll be tasting that garlic for days."
Calling over their server yet again, Luthor asked his question and found the answer satisfactory.
"The garlic chicken for the lady, the lamb for me. They know how I like it. Soufflé for dessert. That'll be all."
He handed back the menus and looked at Barbara again.
"So how long has it been since your last visit to Gotham? You say Superman made an appearance? How lucky for you."
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Post by Oracle on Feb 20, 2009 3:52:02 GMT -8
Barbara couldn't help but give a brief chuckle at his comment. She nodded back to Lex in thanks. She then grabbed a hold of her campaign glass and took another sip. She could feel the warmness of the alcohol starting to work her way into her system. Maybe she should have eaten a little something before hand?
She had to think about his question. "Um... it's probably been three to four months. I haven't really had the need to go back to Gotham... not even for work. A lot of my duties have been keeping me bound to the city." She smiled toward him. "Why do you ask, Mr. Luthor? Planning on taking a little vacation?" She, of course, meant nothing by the question. She just wanted to keep the conversation light.
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