Life's Canvas

Stunning

Chapter 2: Stunning

Life's Canvas

Chapter 2: Stunning

Richard had spent the rest of his day wandering around Wayne manor, occasionally sprawling out on one of the dark leather couches. He'd paid a short visit to the main Gotham branch of Wayne enterprises and had some fun flirting with Barbara Gordon, the daughter of one of Bruce's business partners. It had proved to be a rather entertaining evening, seeing as he'd gotten in a good work out and had the chance to squabble with Bruce... an activity he was finding to become increasingly amusing.

All in all, he had found it a satisfying day. One of the few that had been void of business meetings and the sort. He supposed it was because Bruce was clearing his schedule with his trip coming up that Friday. In order to humor the man, Richard had even driven past the gallery building and took a peek inside.

Richard yawned and tumbled clumsily from his bed, tangled in his sheets. To say the least he was a rather restless sleeper, but he had his reasons. The past tended to be a haunting thing. He shook the unruly black hair out of his eyes and trudged over to his closet where he pulled out a suit. Richard grimaced and shrugged it on, tugging distastefully at his tie. He looked at his clock. 9:30. Lovely. He'd figured his morning run would have to be canceled, but he hadn't thought he'd gotten up that late.

Richard wandered into the bathroom where he thought he'd attempt to drag a comb through his disobedient hair.

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Kori looked curiously around. She'd never been to this side of Gotham. It was so... ritzy... She giggled and tucked a strand of auburn hair behind her ear. Today was so pretty... she smiled and decided to park behind a little café to her left. She should be close enough to walk to Mr. Wayne's place in a half hour. Kori parked her old, lavender VW bug behind the café and pushed open the door.

She slipped out daintily and closed the door behind her. She was dressed in a flowing, white peasant-style skirt that went down to her ankles. She had a soft purple camisole on with a sheer shirt on top that fell about her shoulders and ended in long, billowing sleeved. She sucked in a deep breath of air and rounded the back of her vehicle, popping open the trunk. Kori pulled out a large suede leather bag and slung it over her shoulder.

Slamming the trunk closed she headed off, noting the name of the café so she could retrieve her car later. Kori Anders had begun her internship at Azerath School of Fine Arts six months ago. She was becoming accustomed to Gotham and its sights with the daily commute, but she wasn't exactly aware of how notorious the city was for rapidly shifting weather.

So thus was how the young artist found herself two miles from her car, a mile from Wayne manor, and ensnared in pouring rain. Her bare feet danced lithely over puddles, her skirts sticking awkwardly to her ankles. Much to the curiosity of other pedestrians, she seemed almost pleased with the plummeting rain. Kori giggled and twirled down the street, rapidly approaching Wayne Manor.

Finally reaching the gate to the imposing home, she shook some loose strands of scarlet hair from her face. The wet tendrils flung back and stuck to the rest of her hair, which had come loose from its messy bun and was now tumbling down her back in ruby waves. She pressed the button bellow small speaker box and waited.

"Hello? This is Alfred on behalf of Master Wayne. Please do state your name." a voice crackled through. Kori grinned, more rain dripping into her eyes.

"Kori Anders... I'm here to see Mr. Grayson. Mrs. Logan sent me," she replied with a soft giggle. After a moment, Alfred's voice fizzled though the speaker again.

"I shall have Young Master Grayson meet you at the door. Feel free to park your vehicle in front of the manor," he directed. Kori stifled a chuckle. The large iron gates swung slowly open, much to the girl's interest. Stepping lightly through them, she skipped towards the huge double doors marking the entrance to Wayne Manor.

The gravel path was slightly uncomfortable beneath her bare feet, but she found the tiny twinges of pain acceptable. There was no beauty in life without a little hurt. Kori stepped up the marble steps and under the overhang supported by two gothic-style pillars. She grasped a bronze knocker firmly in her delicate hand and pounded it on the door with surprising strength.

"Master Richard, your lady-friend has arrived," Alfred bowed slightly, a tiny smirk on the old butler's face. Richard's brow shot up but any further comments were interrupted by the banging of a knocker. Richard straightened up his tie and darted down the stairs, taking the last four in a rather large bound. He opened the door quickly, and went rigid in surprise.

Before him was Kori, in all of her soaking glory, beaming innocently up at him. Her wet clothes clung to her and he noted she was shivering a little. Her long auburn hair tumbled down to her waist in regal waves and her bangs fell over her brilliant emerald eyes. Kori gave a tiny squeal.

"Hello! You must be Mr. Grayson! Mrs. Logan speaks well of you at the school. I'm absolutely delighted to meet you!" and with that, Kori flung her arms around Richard in a bizarrely strong hug. Immensely startled, the poor young man stumbled backwards and both tumbled to the ground. Kori's eyes widened and she propped herself up. "My! I am so terribly sorry!" she hastened to remove herself from him and Richard gave an uneasy nod, pulling himself up to his feet as well. As he stood, his gut plummeted.

"Well, Richard, let us not get carried away. You barely know the girl," Bruce met Dick's gaze evenly. Richard lifted a hand in order to defend himself, but Kori's flute-like voice interrupted.

"Oh my goodness! You must be the famed Bruce Wayne!" Kori was staring in awe at Bruce who turned and gave a polite nod. She gave the billionaire a genuine smile and proceeded to greet him in similar fashion as Richard. Luckily, Bruce caught himself before falling and courteously extracted the young artist from him. Kori looked back and forth between Richard and Bruce before her face fell and her frame drooped. Richard felt an instinctive need to comfort the clearly distraught girl, but was unsure of how to do so.

"Oh... I am so, so, sorry! I've gotten you both wet... I really should think before I do things, I hope you can forgive me!" she amended, rummaging in her large suede duffle and producing a fluffy lavender towel and holding it out in offering.

"Ah, don't fret Miss Anders. You're completely drenched, though. I shall have Alfred escort you to your new living quarters so you can change. We'll try introductions again after you're dry. Richard and I will be fine," Bruce smiled graciously and Kori seemed much relieved, obediently following Alfred up the stairs and out of sight.

Richard stared curiously after her. Bruce looked carefully at his ward. "So, what is your initial impression of Miss Raven's intern?" he asked, half expected Richard to fall to his knees and beg him to take the project back. Instead, the young man simply nodded slowly and turned to face his mentor.

"She's... stunning..." he murmured. Bruce rolled his eyes.

"She's not here to be your play thing Dick..."

"I know that! That doesn't mean I'm forbidden to think she's... attractive..." Richard retorted wrathfully. Bruce shrugged.

"Sure," he said. Richard sighed. This was nothing... It wasn't as if he actually thought anything of her. She was simply intriguing. And he was intrigued by many things...

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THANKS FOR THE SUPOORT FOR LAST CHAPTER GUYS ! LOVE YOU ALL !