Who: Barbara & Dick What: Barbra is up for causing a bit of trouble. Where: Upper deck then the Art Auction section. When: Day 3 (backdated) Warnings: Low Status: closed/g-doc
Barbara was a little sad on how she wasn’t sharing a room with Dick, but she was enjoying her time with Rachel. Though she did find herself a tad bit jealous on how he was sharing a room with another girl. Not that she’d ever admit that aloud, especially since she hated herself for even feeling this way. She knew where they stood for the most part, thanks to the memories of her little kid self. Still, Barbara was trying to push the hint of jealousy out of her mind, not needing it and very much disliking the feeling. Instead, she had texted Dick about meeting her up on deck.
After exploring the ship to see what they had to offer, Barbara had ended up with a bright idea. Yes, she probably could’ve had Rachel go with her or anyone to cause a minor amount of trouble, but she wanted to do it with her former partner in crime. It wasn’t stealing like before, she wasn’t into that anymore; however, that didn’t mean she had changed all her old rebel ways and only kept them more hidden. Reaching the deck, she waited for Dick, rolling over to the edge and taking in the view. Checking for any sign of him, she caught sight of him and rolled over to him. “Up for a little fun like the old days of causing trouble?” She asked with a hint of a mischievous grin.
—
Dick was equally a little unhappy with the fact he hadn’t be put with Barbara, but the truth was he thought maybe it was a better to have Rachel with Barbara since Rachel just returned. He was aware that Angeline - a woman whom he’d slept with, in fact, and had a kid with during the time all those kids showed up. It was not an ideal situation to be in.
He smiled when he saw her. One of Dick’s concerns was that the ship wouldn’t be overly accessible, but so far it seemed to have everything for Barbara to enjoy just as much as able-bodied people.
“What kind of trouble?” He was already clearly ‘in’.
–
Barbara was glad for the chance to bond with Rachel, especially with the girl now knowing her with the new memories. She was determined to ignore this whole feeling of jealousy, which was a new feeling for her and one she wasn’t a fan of, but she was determined to not think about it the best she could. It was the last thing she needed, and she knew, for the most part, how Dick felt about her. Even if she never fully voiced how she felt, Barbara was pretty sure he knew, or at least she hoped he did. She spoke with a smirk, "Obviously, it won’t be the type we used to get into when younger." It wasn't even about her being in a wheelchair because Barbara knew how to adapt, but more based on their career paths. Yeah, that would go over so well, even with this not being their world. Also, Rachel was around, and she didn't think they needed her to find out what they used to do, figuring she didn't know. "How about we piss off some rich people in the art auctions? Since they usually try to get items cheaper than their value, we can see how much we can get them to rise. Then, if we somehow get stuck with a pricey art work, we talk our way out of it." Barbara had nothing against rich people since her social circle had more than a few who she loved like family, but she also knew some with egos who thought they were entitled to everything and anything they wanted. While it wasn’t the type of trouble they were used to, they were limited unless they waited until hitting port and saw what they could do. "You up for it?" She asked, looking up at him with a smile and a mischievous look in her eyes, figuring she already knew his answer. —
Dick had spent a lot of his time around rich people. He was technically one of them, though it was really Bruce’s money if you got right down to it, but being Bruce Wayne’s ward meant a lot of gala and fundraisers. He had learned how to read wealthy people and talk to each one in a way that would make them smile, laugh, and leave the conversation feeling like they had had a pleasant experience. It was the only time he was good at small talk and that was because he approached the small talk with pure calculation - Mr. Munroe is a golf enthusiast who feels guilty about his company dumping waste into the lake outside of town. Talking up his donation to the cancer ward would make him feel self-important.
“I like the sound of all of that.” It might not be as exciting as theft, but Barbara was right - this was more their speed for where they were and what they wanted to do. “I’ll go grab us some paddles. - married couple or rivals?” He meant was he getting two different paddle numbers or would they be on the same ‘team’.
–
Barbara would never put Dick in the category of some rich people that she had to deal with and couldn’t stand; however, she was a pro at putting on a fake smile to play nice. The main thing she hated about her job were the asskissing that she sometimes had to do or the fact that she had to play nice with some people she hated. Oh, she knew what some people thought of her, but she learned to read them and play the cards she needed to get what she wanted without having to deal with the person for long. That was why she knew, between the two of them, they could have some fun and cause a little trouble. As much fun as stealing could be, Barbara had outgrown it and knew she couldn’t do things like that anymore. Barbara was glad to hear that he was all in with this idea, hoping it’d turn out as fun as it had seemed inside her head. On his question, she pressed her lips together for a moment in thought before answering. "As much fun as I have kicking your ass in pretty much everything," she playfully shrugged her shoulders before continuing on, "it’s easier to talk our way out of an art piece we end up with as a married couple. My hubby is annoyed with how I throw money around as if I had earned it," she faked a sniffle as if she was really about ready to cry before smiling. Hey, it wasn’t her first time using the idea of fake tears, as she had done it a few times with her father during her teen years. —
He chuckled. She was right and it made the most tactical sense too. It was one of the reasons why he liked Barbara - they were usually on the same wavelength. “Married it is, then.”
He left for a moment to grab them paddles with the same number on it. He gave fake names as an added precaution and when he returned, he also came back with flutes of champagne. He held out one to Barbara. “You find any particularly interest marks yet?”
–
It was the easiest way to talk their way out of any unforeseen problems, which is why it made the most sense. Also, them being "married" allowed them to hang out without having to put on a show of being rivals. Barbara glanced around, pretending more to take in the room, but she was taking this as an opportunity to study the people and see their potential marks. The two had a lot of options from what she was seeing; however, she was trying to decide on which one would be the most challenging for them. It was never fun when it was all that easy. "Thank you, dear," she replied with a chuckle, taking the flute from him and sipping on it for a moment. "Such a bad influence you are," she teased on his question about marks, knowing it was the exact opposite of who was the bad influence. "I’m a little interested in the man at my 4 o’clock. Mainly because he had been looking at me like I’m prey until he saw you return." How any guy thought that type of look worked on any woman was beyond her. "Any on your way over to get the paddles?" Barbara knew him, and knew he would’ve been surveying the room without even letting on that he was doing it. —
He took note of the man that Barbara indicated before glancing at a man and a woman briefly who were talking. It was a brief look, enough to situate Barbara without giving them away. “The man can’t stop talking about all of his collections, some of which sound… unethically bought and the woman seems to be from a firm that liquidates people’s items when they can’t afford to pay loans.” Neither of them had striked Dick as nice people and do swindling them out of their cash that were made on the backs of innocent people sounded good to him.
–
Without drawing attention, she took a sip of her drink and glanced around the room only letting her eyes rest on the pair he was talking about for a brief moment. “Sounds like personality goals I need to strive for,” her tone very clearly sarcastic even for someone who didn’t know her as well as Dick. Normally, she was much better at hiding her thoughts and feelings unless someone knew her well. But the woman and others who did that type of stuff enraged her more than anything. She knew exactly the type of people who got screwed over from a firm like that and it sure as hell weren’t the people who’d be found around here. “I think they sound like a great pair to hit as well. Definitely deserve it more than hunterboy, but I’m still having some fun screwing him over.” Only most of her attention would now be on the other pair with the other dude as an afterthought. “Should we go find a spot to get ready for some fun, Dick?” She asked with a smile as if they were here for the same reason most of the others were and not for causing trouble.
—
He nodded and found a good spot that wasn’t directly next to anyone else, but also somewhat predictably let them have eyes on all the exits of the room.
The first few rounds went pretty well. They were able to push the bids up pretty high and it was fun. Dick mostly enjoyed watching Barbara from the corner of his eye, but still. There was a lull in the bidding as they readied the podium for the next item. "We seem to be annoying the right people."
Maybe it was weird, but much like how them doing a little theft back in Gotham had made him want to sleep with Barbara, Dick was already looking forward to going back to the room with her from all this 'playing'.
–
Barbara rolled up next to him, running her fingers through her red hair as she looked like she was once again lost in thought. All while taking in the people that had come into the room, looking to see if there was anyone else that looked like they deserved to have their day ruined by the two of them. Honestly, she was having a great time, and it made her miss the days when they’d go and cause trouble. While it probably wasn’t exactly the best thing to be thinking with the job title she held, Barbara didn’t care. Wasn’t like she’d be telling someone back home since the only person who’d she trusted with that information was the person next to her, considering he knew about her past hobbies. She could feel his eyes on her at times, making her smile slightly. Barbara noticed the woman who they kept messing with, looking over and flashing the woman a smile before waving at her. "I don’t think she’s a fan of us. I think I’ve just had my whole day ruined now cause of that," she said with a fake pout, as if she was really hurt by learning this bit of information. She quickly lost the phony pout and was actually beaming with delight at how much fun she was having, missing the rush she usually got when she was causing trouble or breaking the law. "After this, I might have to invite you back to my room," right now really wishing they shared a room, hoping Rachel was off somewhere. "Then again, my father always told me never to have boys in my room." As if she had ever listened to that when she was younger and her father was still around. —
His expression lit up at her words. He liked being able to watch Barbara have fun. There was a part of him that had always felt guilty that he left Gotham, even if he had had to when he did. He knew it was hard to find a lot of joy in that city and he had found himself occasionally wondering if Barbara was happy back home. It was nice to be able to help her at least be happy here.
“I’d like that.” He paused, thinking of the logistics and remembering who Barbara was rooming with. “I could probably text Angeline to stay away from my room, if you want to listen to your dad and just go to the boy’s from instead.” His small smile went wry. It’d be less traumatizing too if Angeline walked in on them than if Rachel did, probably.
–
There were very few people who could get Barbara to have fun like this. It was rare back in Gotham to see her happy and having fun considering how the place was. Between her job and having to prove herself always to the ones higher up than her, she was having a great time on not having to worry about that.
Barbara thought about it, knowing how Rachel could walk in at any point, and she definitely did not want the poor girl to walk in on what her and Dick were doing. Even if she texted the girl, Rachel would know what was going on or put it together, and his idea was the best option for the situation. “You could do that. I know I should listen to my dad, but I’d much rather go back to your room. Or we can see if there are any empty ones and use one,” she tossed out before adding with a very innocent shrug, knowing he knew better to believe the comment that was coming. “Always such a bad influence, Grayson.”
The mix of joking and wanting Dick right now caused Barbara to take a leap that she kept avoiding, and waiting for him to do. Then again, she knew how Dick was and figured maybe it was better for her to ask him. “I was thinking,” she said in a normal tone as if they were still talking. There was no hint of nerves because no matter what Dick was always going to be important to her life. “When we get back to Madison, you and I should go on a date,” her eyes moved off the people to him. The two had been fooling around, and they just never really did this part, which was why she was asking him. Timing was always their issue, and she kept waiting for him so maybe it was time for her to take the chance. Okay, and maybe also a small part of her being a bit jealous of not sharing a room with him played into her finally taking a chance.
–
Dick was picturing himself scaling the outside of the ship to get into an empty room. Even though he could just break in from the room door, it'd be much more fun to do it the harder way. He was picturing it when Barbara brought up going on an actual date. It might be obvious to some, but suddenly Dick felt guilty. He had wanted to take her on dates, but hadn't asked. He hadn't asked because this worked and he wasn't used to actual dates - the few Donna had set him up on throughout the years had been bad. This was Barbara though. They wouldn't need to do the inane small talk thing.
He looked at her, his eyes holding the silent 'I should have asked you earlier' though instead he nodded. "More than one date." This was him saying yes. "We could start with the formal coming up, if you like." Was that considered a cop-out? He hoped now. He'd also start planning a few dates now for them when they got back.
–
Barbara knew all too well how bad Dick could be with people and with dates. Oh, she had heard the stories, and they were quite hilarious to know and see how bad he could be when interacting with people. Thankfully, they didn’t have to do the whole small talking aspect that usually happened on dates with how well they knew one another. Unless she decided to have a little fun torturing him with it, but that was about it.
If she didn’t know Dick the way she did, then yeah, she might be a bit annoyed at how he had never asked her out, leaving her to do it. Barbara felt it was on her as well, and she gave him the chance to do it, knowing how he was, but now she was the one taking the chance. It wasn’t fair to put it all on him. “I’d hope there’d be more than one date, but I’d love to start with that,” she told him with a smile, forgetting for a moment about how they were trying to mess with some people. “How about we finish up here and head back to your room?” She offered with a smile that screamed trouble for anyone who knew her well.
—
“Definitely more than one date.” Dick chuckled softly before leaning over and giving her a kiss. He made a mental note to ‘do better’ by her and he was definitely going to try.
“Sounds like a plan.” He was looking forward to it.