Fic: The Raven And The Nightingale Book III: Cherry Blossoms (8/22)
Title: The Raven And The Nightingale Book III: Cherry Blossoms (8/22)
Author: BradyGirl_12
Pairings/Characters (this chapter): Bruce/Dick, Patrick Mulroney, Donna Troy
Genres: Angst, AU, Drama, 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: At a ballet performance, Bruce meets Patrick and learns more about the Project.
Date Of Completion: April 14, 2020
Date Of Posting: March 8, 2022
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, DC does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 1250
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
Author’s Note: The entire series can be found here.
VIII
PATRICK MULRONEY BECOMES A BALLET FAN
Leaping ladies
And muscled men.
Frothy costumes,
Music blends.
Storytelling
At its best.
Count Aleksi Sikorsky
“In Celebration Of Ballet”
1783 C.E.
Washington’s movers and shakers enjoyed parties and soirees as long as they could see and be seen. While Gotham High Society regarded wealth and lineage as the keys to entry into the club, Washington City’s Elite considered political power the key. Wealth and family were impressive, but without political juice, it was just interesting window dressing.
At the National Theatre, the Elite gathered to watch the opening performance of the Gotham Ballet Company. The elegant lobby was filled with polished, gilt-edged mirrors, thick, red carpet, and crystal chandeliers. Refreshments were sold and people drank refreshing lemonade and limeade. The champagne would be brought out during intermission.
Bruce was wearing crisp opera clothes and sipping lemonade as he observed the crowd. He saw his fellow committee members except for Senators Cannon and Belknap.
Patrick Mulroney was talking to a bejeweled dowager and got a laugh out of her. In another corner, Alice Roosevelt Longworth was holding court with a coterie of admirers. Washington’s movers and shakers were out in full force.
Mulroney noticed Bruce and approached him a few minutes later. “Mr. Wayne, glad to see you.”
“Same here, Mr. Mulroney. You have an admirer, I see.”
“Ah, yes, Mrs. George Carlson enjoys clever wit and stories.”
Bruce smiled. “I detect some blarney, Mr. Mulroney.”
“Please, call me Patrick.” He drank his limeade.
“Then it’s Bruce.”
“Okay, Bruce.” Patrick’s blue eyes sparkled. “What did you think of our jolly little group today?”
“How’d they let an Irishman like you in? They’ve barely taken down the ‘Irish Need Not Apply’ signs in Boston.”
Patrick flashed a grin. “Now we outnumber the Brahmins of Beacon Hill in the city.”
“Wave of the future.”
“You just wait.” Patrick took another sip. “In the meantime, I’m the Chief Engineer of Liberty. A WASP owns the company, but I’m the brains.”
“Did our fellow committeemen give you details on what kind of research this new facility will be doing?”
“Probably military. New weapons, that sort of thing.”
“The President likes new weapons. He practically built the Navy all by himself.”
Patrick laughed. “He does like ‘the bully pulpit’. A pity he’s a lame duck at the moment.”
“Uncle Teddy is never a lame anything,” Bruce said with a smile.
“Come to think of it, you’re probably right.” Patrick finished his drink. “Is this ballet company as good as they say?”
“Definitely.”
“What about the stars?”
“Right now our prima ballerina is young, but Donna Troy is talented. The real star right now is Richard Grayson.”
“Is he the next Nijinsky?”
“Possibly. They say he’s that good.”
“Well, then, this could be an entertaining evening,” Patrick said.
“No lady to escort?” Bruce asked.
“Not tonight. I just arrived in the city a few days ago.”
“Yes, I’m a recent arrival, too. Where are you sitting?”
“The cheap seats,” Patrick said ruefully.
“I’ve got a box all by myself. Would you like to join me?”
“I would indeed.” Patrick saluted Bruce with his glass.
The two men deposited their empty glasses at the bar and walked up the winding staircase to the floor where the private boxes were located. They settled into the box Bruce had bought for the next few months. He intended to see quite a few performances.
He and Patrick chatted about Washington gossip. Patrick seemed already plugged into some topics. Bruce knew that gossip about powerful people could be invaluable.
The lights began to dim and the curtain rose as the orchestra began to play. Bruce felt the old, familiar excitement as he waited for his first glimpse of Dick.
The ballet was an original work that had elements of Modernism, but not too ‘out there’. Washington was not the place for shocking modernity.
Donna danced the female lead very well, Bruce thought. Her youthfulness and energy were big points in her favor. She had good chemistry with Dick, who dazzled the audience with his grace and powerful leaps.
Always a star.
“Hey, Grayson is good,” Patrick said.
“One of Europe’s finest stars and now America’s.”
Patrick looked shrewdly at his companion. “You know him.”
“I do. I’m his patron.”
“Aah.” Patrick nodded his head with a smile. “You saw him in Europe and brought him here.”
Bruce looked at Patrick with renewed respect. “Very perceptive.”
Patrick returned his attention to the stage. “I can be at times.” His voice was amused.
Bruce realized that this man would make an excellent ally, but he had to be careful. Mulroney could be in cahoots with his fellow committeemen beyond the outward role of engineer.
“You said you’re an engineer. Who is the architect on the project?”
“I am. I have a good knowledge of architecture but am consulting with my company’s Chief Architect.”
“I see. Good to consult with people.”
“I think so.”
Both men fell silent as the ballet continued with passion and verve. Bruce never tired of watching his Beloved perform his magic.
The audience agreed with his assessment as they applauded vigorously at intermission. Patrick clapped with hearty enthusiasm.
“I think I’ve become a ballet fan,” said Patrick as he and Bruce went down to the lobby.
“Dick will be happy to hear it.”
They bought champagne and Patrick said, "Watch your back with the senators."
"'Et tu, Brute’?"
Patrick grinned. “Something like that. They’re just a slippery bunch. Bradford thinks he’s better than everybody because an ancestor came over on the Mayflower. Belknap is, surprise, surprise, a rabid racist, and Cannon is the top dog.”
“Who’s the primary lapdog?”
“Gareth Small. Daystrom is good at bootlicking, too, but don’t let that fool you. They’re both veterans of Washington and know all the tricks.”
Bruce sipped his champagne. “Lovely group.”
Patrick smiled. He drank his champagne as he watched the milling crowd.
“Any prospects?” Bruce asked.
“Hmm, a few. Just for escorting purposes. None of these women would get serious with a Boston Irishman.”
“Oh, maybe if he was charming enough.”
Patrick smiled but was clearly unconvinced.
“Cannon and Belknap not ballet fans?” Bruce asked as he watched William Bradford speaking with a handsome woman by the bar.
Patrick snorted. “Ezekiel Cannon would probably ban all stage productions if he could, and Roscoe Belknap thinks hunting with his hound dogs is high art.”
“I’ll definitely keep an eye open.”
“Keep two eyes open.”
Bruce sipped his champagne. It was probably sound advice.
& & & & & &
The applause reverberated around the theater. Dick and the troupe took curtain calls.
“Would you like to come backstage?” Bruce asked Patrick.
“Yes, I would,” Patrick said cheerfully.
Bruce and Patrick made their way backstage. Patrick asked, “Can you introduce me to Donna Troy?”
“I certainly can.”
Patrick adjusted his cravat. Amused, Bruce knocked on Donna’s door.
“Come in.”
Since she was dancing lead, Donna had a private dressing room. She was dressed in a pale blue wrap as she sat at her dressing table removing powder from her face.
“Donna, dearest,” said Bruce.
“Hello, Bruce.” She noticed Patrick in her mirror. “And who is this charming gentleman?”
“Patrick Mulroney, a charming engineer/architect. From Boston, I might add,” Bruce said.
“Oh, Boston.” Donna turned around. “Did you enjoy the ballet?”
“Very much. I especially enjoyed your performance.”
“Aren’t you sweet?”
“Well, I’ll just go next door. “ Bruce slipped out. It was fun being a matchmaker.
Time to visit his match.
This chapter can 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, Patrick Mulroney, Donna Troy
Genres: Angst, AU, Drama, 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: At a ballet performance, Bruce meets Patrick and learns more about the Project.
Date Of Completion: April 14, 2020
Date Of Posting: March 8, 2022
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, DC does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 1250
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
Author’s Note: The entire series can be found here.
VIII
PATRICK MULRONEY BECOMES A BALLET FAN
Leaping ladies
And muscled men.
Frothy costumes,
Music blends.
Storytelling
At its best.
Count Aleksi Sikorsky
“In Celebration Of Ballet”
1783 C.E.
Washington’s movers and shakers enjoyed parties and soirees as long as they could see and be seen. While Gotham High Society regarded wealth and lineage as the keys to entry into the club, Washington City’s Elite considered political power the key. Wealth and family were impressive, but without political juice, it was just interesting window dressing.
At the National Theatre, the Elite gathered to watch the opening performance of the Gotham Ballet Company. The elegant lobby was filled with polished, gilt-edged mirrors, thick, red carpet, and crystal chandeliers. Refreshments were sold and people drank refreshing lemonade and limeade. The champagne would be brought out during intermission.
Bruce was wearing crisp opera clothes and sipping lemonade as he observed the crowd. He saw his fellow committee members except for Senators Cannon and Belknap.
Patrick Mulroney was talking to a bejeweled dowager and got a laugh out of her. In another corner, Alice Roosevelt Longworth was holding court with a coterie of admirers. Washington’s movers and shakers were out in full force.
Mulroney noticed Bruce and approached him a few minutes later. “Mr. Wayne, glad to see you.”
“Same here, Mr. Mulroney. You have an admirer, I see.”
“Ah, yes, Mrs. George Carlson enjoys clever wit and stories.”
Bruce smiled. “I detect some blarney, Mr. Mulroney.”
“Please, call me Patrick.” He drank his limeade.
“Then it’s Bruce.”
“Okay, Bruce.” Patrick’s blue eyes sparkled. “What did you think of our jolly little group today?”
“How’d they let an Irishman like you in? They’ve barely taken down the ‘Irish Need Not Apply’ signs in Boston.”
Patrick flashed a grin. “Now we outnumber the Brahmins of Beacon Hill in the city.”
“Wave of the future.”
“You just wait.” Patrick took another sip. “In the meantime, I’m the Chief Engineer of Liberty. A WASP owns the company, but I’m the brains.”
“Did our fellow committeemen give you details on what kind of research this new facility will be doing?”
“Probably military. New weapons, that sort of thing.”
“The President likes new weapons. He practically built the Navy all by himself.”
Patrick laughed. “He does like ‘the bully pulpit’. A pity he’s a lame duck at the moment.”
“Uncle Teddy is never a lame anything,” Bruce said with a smile.
“Come to think of it, you’re probably right.” Patrick finished his drink. “Is this ballet company as good as they say?”
“Definitely.”
“What about the stars?”
“Right now our prima ballerina is young, but Donna Troy is talented. The real star right now is Richard Grayson.”
“Is he the next Nijinsky?”
“Possibly. They say he’s that good.”
“Well, then, this could be an entertaining evening,” Patrick said.
“No lady to escort?” Bruce asked.
“Not tonight. I just arrived in the city a few days ago.”
“Yes, I’m a recent arrival, too. Where are you sitting?”
“The cheap seats,” Patrick said ruefully.
“I’ve got a box all by myself. Would you like to join me?”
“I would indeed.” Patrick saluted Bruce with his glass.
The two men deposited their empty glasses at the bar and walked up the winding staircase to the floor where the private boxes were located. They settled into the box Bruce had bought for the next few months. He intended to see quite a few performances.
He and Patrick chatted about Washington gossip. Patrick seemed already plugged into some topics. Bruce knew that gossip about powerful people could be invaluable.
The lights began to dim and the curtain rose as the orchestra began to play. Bruce felt the old, familiar excitement as he waited for his first glimpse of Dick.
The ballet was an original work that had elements of Modernism, but not too ‘out there’. Washington was not the place for shocking modernity.
Donna danced the female lead very well, Bruce thought. Her youthfulness and energy were big points in her favor. She had good chemistry with Dick, who dazzled the audience with his grace and powerful leaps.
Always a star.
“Hey, Grayson is good,” Patrick said.
“One of Europe’s finest stars and now America’s.”
Patrick looked shrewdly at his companion. “You know him.”
“I do. I’m his patron.”
“Aah.” Patrick nodded his head with a smile. “You saw him in Europe and brought him here.”
Bruce looked at Patrick with renewed respect. “Very perceptive.”
Patrick returned his attention to the stage. “I can be at times.” His voice was amused.
Bruce realized that this man would make an excellent ally, but he had to be careful. Mulroney could be in cahoots with his fellow committeemen beyond the outward role of engineer.
“You said you’re an engineer. Who is the architect on the project?”
“I am. I have a good knowledge of architecture but am consulting with my company’s Chief Architect.”
“I see. Good to consult with people.”
“I think so.”
Both men fell silent as the ballet continued with passion and verve. Bruce never tired of watching his Beloved perform his magic.
The audience agreed with his assessment as they applauded vigorously at intermission. Patrick clapped with hearty enthusiasm.
“I think I’ve become a ballet fan,” said Patrick as he and Bruce went down to the lobby.
“Dick will be happy to hear it.”
They bought champagne and Patrick said, "Watch your back with the senators."
"'Et tu, Brute’?"
Patrick grinned. “Something like that. They’re just a slippery bunch. Bradford thinks he’s better than everybody because an ancestor came over on the Mayflower. Belknap is, surprise, surprise, a rabid racist, and Cannon is the top dog.”
“Who’s the primary lapdog?”
“Gareth Small. Daystrom is good at bootlicking, too, but don’t let that fool you. They’re both veterans of Washington and know all the tricks.”
Bruce sipped his champagne. “Lovely group.”
Patrick smiled. He drank his champagne as he watched the milling crowd.
“Any prospects?” Bruce asked.
“Hmm, a few. Just for escorting purposes. None of these women would get serious with a Boston Irishman.”
“Oh, maybe if he was charming enough.”
Patrick smiled but was clearly unconvinced.
“Cannon and Belknap not ballet fans?” Bruce asked as he watched William Bradford speaking with a handsome woman by the bar.
Patrick snorted. “Ezekiel Cannon would probably ban all stage productions if he could, and Roscoe Belknap thinks hunting with his hound dogs is high art.”
“I’ll definitely keep an eye open.”
“Keep two eyes open.”
Bruce sipped his champagne. It was probably sound advice.
& & & & & &
The applause reverberated around the theater. Dick and the troupe took curtain calls.
“Would you like to come backstage?” Bruce asked Patrick.
“Yes, I would,” Patrick said cheerfully.
Bruce and Patrick made their way backstage. Patrick asked, “Can you introduce me to Donna Troy?”
“I certainly can.”
Patrick adjusted his cravat. Amused, Bruce knocked on Donna’s door.
“Come in.”
Since she was dancing lead, Donna had a private dressing room. She was dressed in a pale blue wrap as she sat at her dressing table removing powder from her face.
“Donna, dearest,” said Bruce.
“Hello, Bruce.” She noticed Patrick in her mirror. “And who is this charming gentleman?”
“Patrick Mulroney, a charming engineer/architect. From Boston, I might add,” Bruce said.
“Oh, Boston.” Donna turned around. “Did you enjoy the ballet?”
“Very much. I especially enjoyed your performance.”
“Aren’t you sweet?”
“Well, I’ll just go next door. “ Bruce slipped out. It was fun being a matchmaker.
Time to visit his match.
This chapter can also be read on AO3.
This entry has been cross-posted from Dreamwidth. Comment on either entry as you wish. :)