Fic- The Raven And The Nightingale Book III: Cherry Blossoms (7/22)
Title: The Raven And The Nightingale Book III: Cherry Blossoms (7/22)
Author: BradyGirl_12
Pairings/Characters (this chapter): Bruce/Dick (Dick does not appear in this chapter), Theodore Roosevelt, Gareth Small, William Bradford, Russell Daystrom, Roscoe Belknap, Ezekiel Cannon, Patrick Mulroney
Genres: AU, Historical, Mystery, Romance
Rating (this chapter): G
Warnings (this chapter): None
Spoilers: None
General Summary: Bruce and Dick get caught up in political intrigue during a business trip to Washington City.
Chapter Summary: The President introduces Bruce to the Senate Finance Committee.
Date Of Completion: April 12, 2020
Date Of Posting: February 19, 2022
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, DC does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 1162
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
Author’s Note: The entire series can be found here.
PART TWO
BLOSSOMS
VII
THE COMMITTEE
April 6, 1908
“In Washington, committees are the lifeblood of Capitol Hill.
Pity they’re usually an excuse for delay and obfuscation.”
Mack Twist
American Humorist
1885 C.E.
Bruce loved the pomp and circumstance of Capitol Hill. The building was beautiful with its Greek style and the Rotunda was elegant with its highly-polished floor, stern busts, and magnificent painted ceiling. Footsteps echoed on that polished floor as Teddy Roosevelt escorted Bruce, their progress slowed as the President greeted every person he recognized, and he recognized quite a few.
When they finally reached the back corridors, their pace picked up again. The President knocked on a door and breezed in, Bruce following in his wake.
The men already gathered in the room looked up at Roosevelt’s grand entrance. Bruce hid a smile. His uncle knew no other way to enter a room. Roosevelt was now ‘jollying it up’, as he liked to say.
The men in the room were not easily swayed despite the veneer of conviviality. Bruce knew they were looking him over and trying to remember what they had heard about him. He doubted that Teddy had told them about his nephew joining the committee, preferring to keep them off-balance.
“Well, now, gentlemen, what a fine spring day it is!” Roosevelt waved his hands expansively.
Bruce noticed that only a few men smiled. Apparently the other men were immune to his uncle’s charms. They looked like a tough bunch.
The men of the Finance Committee were sober-faced men of power, dressed in conservative black with the exception of one man, whose suit was a pleasing shade of blue, not too dark. Red hair framed a cherubic face with the glint of mischief in his eyes.
The somber group was surrounded by splendid elegance, as befit a room in the Capitol Building. Marble walls and green velvet drapes edged in gold tassels matched the cloth on the conference table. Plush chairs surrounded the table.
“Gentlemen, may I introduce my nephew, Bruce Wayne of the Gotham Waynes.” The President deliberately used the High Society way of speaking. Old Money could still impress even these men.
“Now, Bruce, these gentlemen are Senator Gareth Small of Ohio, Senator William Bradford of New York, Senator Russell Daystrom of Kentucky, Senator Roscoe Belknap of Georgia, Senator Ezekiel Cannon of Michigan, and Patrick Mulroney of the Liberty Engineering and Architecture Company.”
Bruce nodded to each man in turn, taking note of appearances and facial expressions. Small was stoop-shouldered and hawk-faced, frowning and keeping his hands in his pockets of a somber black suit. Bradford was tall and urbane with a thick shock of chestnut hair and cool brown eyes. His black suit was crisp and impeccable. Daystrom had graying hair, muttonchop sideburns and a scar across his chin. Of medium build, his clothes were slightly rumpled and he looked disgruntled. Belknap’s black hair was slick with pomade, and his mustache was carefully cultivated. He was carrying an extra thirty pounds, and Bruce thought he resembled a junkyard dog, itching to pounce. Cannon’s face was scowling, his white hair thinning on top and his mustache was bushy. Slender in build and around five-foot-four, Bruce sensed he was the most dangerous.
He turned to Mulroney, who was a breath of fresh air with a smile on his face. The senators ranged in age from forty to sixty-five, Bruce guessed, but the redhead appeared to be in his thirties. He offered his hand and Bruce shook it.
“And what is Bruce Wayne of the Gotham Waynes doing in our fair city?” Cannon asked.
Roosevelt put his hand on Bruce’s shoulder. “As an experienced businessman, he can provide valuable insights. His foundation is an example of progressive philanthropy at its best.”
Cannon’s lip curled. “Progressive, eh?”
“Yes, Ezekiel, progressive, and successful. The Wayne Foundation funds settlement houses, scholarships, and food banks.”
“How commendable,” said Bradford. The tone was cool and suggested the opposite.
Tough crowd, Bruce thought. This is going to be a barrel of laughs.
“Sit down, gentlemen,” said the President in an affable tone, but it was also an order. Everyone took a seat around the table.
“Ezekiel, you’re Committee Chairman. Explain our project to Bruce.”
“As you wish, Mr. President.” The sixty-ish senator spoke in a dry tone. “We are planning to build a research foundation in Virginia, hence Mr. Mulroney’s presence.”
“Research foundation? Are we talking medical research?” asked Bruce.
”No, scientific.”
Bruce looked at Roosevelt. “Scientific?”
The President nodded. “”Yes, it will be a secret venture. The world is getting more dangerous, and we need to be prepared.”
“I see.”
“We need to supplement the Federal money with private funds,” said Daystrom.
“Oh?”
“Yes, financiers like J.P. Morgan and John D. Rockefeller have more money than the Government.”
Bruce raised an eyebrow but did not disagree. “So are they told about the nature of the research?”
“No. We’ll have a convincing cover story.”
“Why all the secrecy?”
“Scientific research can involve many things we would rather keep under wraps. The public rarely understands these things,” Bradford said with more than a hint of snobbery.
Bruce refrained from rolling his eyes. “All right, what are the details of the research?”
“There isn’t any yet. We have to build the facility first,” said Cannon.
Nice sidestep. And with Uncle Teddy in the room!
“What are your plans for raising this money?”
“We don’t have any yet.”
“Shall we brainstorm then?”
“Why not?” Cannon lit a cigar. “Any ideas, Mr. Wayne?”
“Well, I would suggest a ball or other High Society function, but this is all hush-hush, you say, so that’s out. I think you’re limited to private meetings with Morgan and Rockefeller.”
“We also need creative ideas to funnel Federal money into the project without attracting attention.”
Bruce doubted that an old hand like Ezekial Cannon needed his input to shuffle Federal money around. Something wasn’t quite right here. And why was Teddy a part of it?
Bruce smiled charmingly. “Well, I’m always up for creativity. You mentioned a cover story. Perhaps we can use that to tap the pockets of the rich and famous.”
“I like you, boy!” Belknap said.
Cannon was looking at Bruce with renewed interest.
For the rest of the meeting, the committee discussed ideas for raising money from the private sector. When they adjourned, Bruce left with the President and they reached the Rotunda. It was grandiloquent with its frieze of significant events in American history: the Declaration of Independence, the surrenders of Burgoyne and Cornwallis during the Revolution, and General Washington resigning his commission.
“Uncle, what’s going on with this committee?” Bruce asked.
“That’s what I want you to find out.” Teddy smiled his trademark smile.
“Can’t you just order them to tell you?”
“Nephew, that isn’t the way politics works.”
Bruce shook his head. “Guess that’s why you’re President.”
“Bully, my boy, bully!”
Bruce laughed and they left the Rotunda to emerge into the warm spring air.
This chapter hcan also be read on AO3.
This entry has been cross-posted from Dreamwidth. Comment on either entry as you wish. :)
Author: BradyGirl_12
Pairings/Characters (this chapter): Bruce/Dick (Dick does not appear in this chapter), Theodore Roosevelt, Gareth Small, William Bradford, Russell Daystrom, Roscoe Belknap, Ezekiel Cannon, Patrick Mulroney
Genres: AU, Historical, Mystery, Romance
Rating (this chapter): G
Warnings (this chapter): None
Spoilers: None
General Summary: Bruce and Dick get caught up in political intrigue during a business trip to Washington City.
Chapter Summary: The President introduces Bruce to the Senate Finance Committee.
Date Of Completion: April 12, 2020
Date Of Posting: February 19, 2022
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, DC does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 1162
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
Author’s Note: The entire series can be found here.
PART TWO
BLOSSOMS
VII
THE COMMITTEE
April 6, 1908
“In Washington, committees are the lifeblood of Capitol Hill.
Pity they’re usually an excuse for delay and obfuscation.”
Mack Twist
American Humorist
1885 C.E.
Bruce loved the pomp and circumstance of Capitol Hill. The building was beautiful with its Greek style and the Rotunda was elegant with its highly-polished floor, stern busts, and magnificent painted ceiling. Footsteps echoed on that polished floor as Teddy Roosevelt escorted Bruce, their progress slowed as the President greeted every person he recognized, and he recognized quite a few.
When they finally reached the back corridors, their pace picked up again. The President knocked on a door and breezed in, Bruce following in his wake.
The men already gathered in the room looked up at Roosevelt’s grand entrance. Bruce hid a smile. His uncle knew no other way to enter a room. Roosevelt was now ‘jollying it up’, as he liked to say.
The men in the room were not easily swayed despite the veneer of conviviality. Bruce knew they were looking him over and trying to remember what they had heard about him. He doubted that Teddy had told them about his nephew joining the committee, preferring to keep them off-balance.
“Well, now, gentlemen, what a fine spring day it is!” Roosevelt waved his hands expansively.
Bruce noticed that only a few men smiled. Apparently the other men were immune to his uncle’s charms. They looked like a tough bunch.
The men of the Finance Committee were sober-faced men of power, dressed in conservative black with the exception of one man, whose suit was a pleasing shade of blue, not too dark. Red hair framed a cherubic face with the glint of mischief in his eyes.
The somber group was surrounded by splendid elegance, as befit a room in the Capitol Building. Marble walls and green velvet drapes edged in gold tassels matched the cloth on the conference table. Plush chairs surrounded the table.
“Gentlemen, may I introduce my nephew, Bruce Wayne of the Gotham Waynes.” The President deliberately used the High Society way of speaking. Old Money could still impress even these men.
“Now, Bruce, these gentlemen are Senator Gareth Small of Ohio, Senator William Bradford of New York, Senator Russell Daystrom of Kentucky, Senator Roscoe Belknap of Georgia, Senator Ezekiel Cannon of Michigan, and Patrick Mulroney of the Liberty Engineering and Architecture Company.”
Bruce nodded to each man in turn, taking note of appearances and facial expressions. Small was stoop-shouldered and hawk-faced, frowning and keeping his hands in his pockets of a somber black suit. Bradford was tall and urbane with a thick shock of chestnut hair and cool brown eyes. His black suit was crisp and impeccable. Daystrom had graying hair, muttonchop sideburns and a scar across his chin. Of medium build, his clothes were slightly rumpled and he looked disgruntled. Belknap’s black hair was slick with pomade, and his mustache was carefully cultivated. He was carrying an extra thirty pounds, and Bruce thought he resembled a junkyard dog, itching to pounce. Cannon’s face was scowling, his white hair thinning on top and his mustache was bushy. Slender in build and around five-foot-four, Bruce sensed he was the most dangerous.
He turned to Mulroney, who was a breath of fresh air with a smile on his face. The senators ranged in age from forty to sixty-five, Bruce guessed, but the redhead appeared to be in his thirties. He offered his hand and Bruce shook it.
“And what is Bruce Wayne of the Gotham Waynes doing in our fair city?” Cannon asked.
Roosevelt put his hand on Bruce’s shoulder. “As an experienced businessman, he can provide valuable insights. His foundation is an example of progressive philanthropy at its best.”
Cannon’s lip curled. “Progressive, eh?”
“Yes, Ezekiel, progressive, and successful. The Wayne Foundation funds settlement houses, scholarships, and food banks.”
“How commendable,” said Bradford. The tone was cool and suggested the opposite.
Tough crowd, Bruce thought. This is going to be a barrel of laughs.
“Sit down, gentlemen,” said the President in an affable tone, but it was also an order. Everyone took a seat around the table.
“Ezekiel, you’re Committee Chairman. Explain our project to Bruce.”
“As you wish, Mr. President.” The sixty-ish senator spoke in a dry tone. “We are planning to build a research foundation in Virginia, hence Mr. Mulroney’s presence.”
“Research foundation? Are we talking medical research?” asked Bruce.
”No, scientific.”
Bruce looked at Roosevelt. “Scientific?”
The President nodded. “”Yes, it will be a secret venture. The world is getting more dangerous, and we need to be prepared.”
“I see.”
“We need to supplement the Federal money with private funds,” said Daystrom.
“Oh?”
“Yes, financiers like J.P. Morgan and John D. Rockefeller have more money than the Government.”
Bruce raised an eyebrow but did not disagree. “So are they told about the nature of the research?”
“No. We’ll have a convincing cover story.”
“Why all the secrecy?”
“Scientific research can involve many things we would rather keep under wraps. The public rarely understands these things,” Bradford said with more than a hint of snobbery.
Bruce refrained from rolling his eyes. “All right, what are the details of the research?”
“There isn’t any yet. We have to build the facility first,” said Cannon.
Nice sidestep. And with Uncle Teddy in the room!
“What are your plans for raising this money?”
“We don’t have any yet.”
“Shall we brainstorm then?”
“Why not?” Cannon lit a cigar. “Any ideas, Mr. Wayne?”
“Well, I would suggest a ball or other High Society function, but this is all hush-hush, you say, so that’s out. I think you’re limited to private meetings with Morgan and Rockefeller.”
“We also need creative ideas to funnel Federal money into the project without attracting attention.”
Bruce doubted that an old hand like Ezekial Cannon needed his input to shuffle Federal money around. Something wasn’t quite right here. And why was Teddy a part of it?
Bruce smiled charmingly. “Well, I’m always up for creativity. You mentioned a cover story. Perhaps we can use that to tap the pockets of the rich and famous.”
“I like you, boy!” Belknap said.
Cannon was looking at Bruce with renewed interest.
For the rest of the meeting, the committee discussed ideas for raising money from the private sector. When they adjourned, Bruce left with the President and they reached the Rotunda. It was grandiloquent with its frieze of significant events in American history: the Declaration of Independence, the surrenders of Burgoyne and Cornwallis during the Revolution, and General Washington resigning his commission.
“Uncle, what’s going on with this committee?” Bruce asked.
“That’s what I want you to find out.” Teddy smiled his trademark smile.
“Can’t you just order them to tell you?”
“Nephew, that isn’t the way politics works.”
Bruce shook his head. “Guess that’s why you’re President.”
“Bully, my boy, bully!”
Bruce laughed and they left the Rotunda to emerge into the warm spring air.
This chapter hcan also be read on AO3.
This entry has been cross-posted from Dreamwidth. Comment on either entry as you wish. :)