[center][img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/87/The_Batman.PNG[/img]

[b]Gotham City, NJ | December 31st, 2013[/b][/center]

It’s been another year.

Since I’ve returned to Gotham nearly four years ago, I’ve dealt with the worst of society and at the cost of everyone around me. My former relationships that I had forged all those years ago crumbled and all I was left with was two men who welcomed me back to Gotham with no false pretenses—Alfred Pennyworth and Lucius Fox. My relationship with even my own family has been rough at best; Jacob Kane had never forgiven my father for leaving the responsibility of raising me to Alfred Pennyworth over his own brother-in-law and I could tell that whenever he and I met as equals. My other uncle, Phillip Kane was too self-obsessed to care about anything—which is more concerning considering his daughter has to live under that smugness and false sense of pride. I’m not sure what I hate more; a pointless discontent or a complacent arrogance. Both are things that Gotham does not need and at a level are responsible for this mess. 

But here I am, despite all of that—showing support for the Kane family as I approach a New Year’s celebration as they welcome me and my wards under their roof for a night. I’m not sure I want Dick or Harley to see how the other half of the Wayne-Kane family acts, but they are here for another reason as they happen to be friends with Phillip’s daughter—Mary, though I hear they call her “Bette” instead.

As my hand reaches the door I shoot a glance to Dick. [b]“Consider this our night off.” [/b]

“Bruce! Welcome, welcome!” The voice of Phillip Kane’s wife, Bethany, speaks out with a fake smile. Being “Gotham royalty” is where I first learned how to use a façade to get by and fool people into seeing the Bruce they wanted to see. It’s an old tactic, misdirection, and I’ve employed it in many facets before.

[b]“It’s been too long.”[/b] I say with the same smile as I walk in to the party which was full of acquaintances of the Kane family for the most part. 

Her eyes shift from mine to Harley and Dick, “These must be those children you are supporting in that program of yours.”

I hate that. I am not simply keeping Harley or Dick around because it ‘looks good’ that ‘playboy extraordinaire’ Bruce Wayne is ‘reaching out’ to the ‘poor pitiful orphans’. It’s my responsibility to them to fix Gotham, and I am the only one in this city who will ever understand the dark shadow that looms behind them. Despite my feelings however I do as I do—I smile and nod.

[b]“Yes. This is Harleen,”[/b] I say gesturing to my left. [b]“…and this is Richard.”[/b] I add as I gesture to my right.

 “Wonderful, please follow me—Mary Elizabeth will be thrilled of your presence.”

As Bethany Kane escorts Dick and Harley I decide to take my approach to the main hall.

From here I can tell Phillip Kane is making it ‘a show’ as I can overhear him mentioning some achievement of sorts—he’s quite well off at Gotham General and he likes to mention how many lives he saves in a given month compared to his peers as some grandiose display of how he’s not a worthless human being. I didn’t know my uncle much from when I was younger—he was off showboating and ‘living the life’ as he often did then. The press has in a way compared me to him as his exploits weren’t too far from the playboy persona I have used as my public face for the past four years; so in a way they aren’t wrong.

That’s when I notice another Kane and one who I’ve been on rocky terms with due to my relations with Alfred as well as my supposed playboy lifestyle—Jacob Kane. Phillips’ older brother rarely had the patience for parties like this so I have to wonder why he is suddenly here. 

“Bruce.” He says as I walk up to him—which is conveniently plopped next to a table propping up food and drink. Looking surprised I turn and nod as I speak in reply.

[b]“Jacob.”[/b]

I can tell my not referring to him as ‘sir’ or ‘uncle jacob’ is unwanted for the most part or perhaps disrespectful—but I have no love for the man who abandoned me because he wanted my father’s money or responsibilities. He hasn’t been my uncle for some time, not really—and I admit it’s a little petty but I’m not being particularly empathic here toward him. 

“I would assume you would be out at that penthouse of yours.”

I smirk and shake my head, [b]“I decided not to throw a party since Phillip was so kind to invite me.”[/b]

“First you disappear for nearly ten years and now you think you can integrate yourself into our lives. It’s funny.” He scoffed. 

[b]“I’m not quite sure that I get the punch-line.”[/b] I retort cheerily, though I am pretty much not amused by his attempt to cause a reaction out of me. Part of me wants to go on an emotionally-addled rant about how he ran away from his own brother-in-law. But he’s not worth such a reaction—I keep a level head. As I take a drink of the punch I’ve just served myself I start to move away from my rigid uncle when I hear a voice that takes me completely off my feet.

“Bruce?”

The voice is familiar and not one I find leaving me with a sense of distaste; I turn around toward the voice with my expression being one of surprise. 

[b]“Kath?”[/b]

We’ve both changed a lot since the time before my parent’s death and I feel a sense of nostalgia overtake me. 

[b]“It’s been forever.”[/b] I manage to add to my initial realization of my cousin’s appearance. The first of two daughters to the uncle who I share no love for and my closest friend in childhood, Katherine Kane, takes me back to a time—albeit briefly, where I wasn’t surrounded by death, obsession, and decay. It’s pleasant, and I rarely get to have a reminder of something that isn’t molded in shades of black and gray.

She nods, “It’s good to see you.”

As I look at her I can see something suffering behind the surface she’s showing—she’s seen and experienced something that’s changed her and by her posture I can tell she hasn’t been home in years much like I hadn’t been home until four years ago. The only thing I really know about her as an adult as that she had been serving with the military since she had turned eighteen and had earned several accomplishments overseas. I may have to investigate this later.

[b]“So how long are you back in Gotham for?”[/b]

It’s an odd question, I know, but ever since we were children we could play off one-another’s expressions and thoughts fairly easy; which was always strange considering I’m not her twin sister, Elizabeth. 

“I don’t know, maybe for good.”

That’s definitely peculiar, but I’m not going to press it. 

[b]“Welcome back to Gotham, then.”[/b]