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[the_caped_crusader]

[ a familiar face to some comes onto the screen as it opens on the communicators. given the nature of this world, it's possible everyone watching would be initially unsure if this was really him, another version of him, or maybe someone else entirely if not for the suit and wayne branding around the room. still, bruce introduces himself again more casually (or disheveled to the knowing), sans coat, with very slight lines under his eyes and a days worth of stubble. ]

I know how these things work, so I won't take up too much of your time. I only want to introduce myself as Bruce Wayne to those who know me and to the uninitiated. This is only to say that I will be stepping back in as CEO of my company, Wayne Enterprises, effective immediately, with my thanks extended to my daughter, Cassandra Wayne, my son, Timothy Drake-Wayne, both of whom some of you may be familiar with, and to the numerous shareholders and staff who have helped to keep it preserved.

In the coming months, I hope to reacquaint myself with all of you, and to learn more about what it is that I've missed over the past ten months that I was gone. For the unaware, know that my family and I have always been committed to giving back to the community and its people, and I'll continue to do that to the best of my ability. As informal an offer as this may seem for a first message, we are always hiring at Wayne Enterprises in various positions for those with the same values.

I won't take up anymore of your time. Thank you again.

Comments

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[giveaway]

[Is she ignoring their earlier conversation? Lil bit.]

Do you have internships?

[the_caped_crusader]

Analytics, accounting, marketing. Anything you're looking for specifically?

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[heliophilic]

[Oh hey, it's that Bruce Wayne guy again. M always did mean to reach out to him...

His response, rather than words, is just a slow clap.]

[the_caped_crusader]

Did I offend you somehow?

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[leatherboots]

Is the pay good?

[ Oh, wait: ]

And what is it that your company does, exactly?

[the_caped_crusader]

We offer a competitive salary. The company itself is a green conglomerate that handles anything from security to medicine and biotech. It really just depends on what you're looking for.

[VIDEO]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I'm not exactly looking for a job, but it's good to see another big business working in favor of the community.

If you ever need a hand, my forge is always open to collaboration. I'm located in Nonah, in the industrial district.

Name's Darin Altway, Master Blacksmith. I dabble in engineering too.

[the_caped_crusader]

A blacksmith? Not a trade you see a lot these days. At the very least, you may be interested in taking a look at Wayne Steel. It's my company's steel refinery. As the name suggests, we largely work with steel, but we operate with a priority of finding new technology and alloys to employ in our work.

[fridgeflower]

Welcome back.

... That's all I've got. Until my next book flops, I'm probably not a decent Wayne Enterprises fit.

[the_caped_crusader]

You already give enough, Laurie. [ league member!!! ] If you need anything, you know it's just a phone call away.

[vanto]

Wait, can I ask you a question?

...well, two questions.

[the_caped_crusader]

Shoot.

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[h2no]

Has it really been ten months? Feels like ten years...

[he shrugs, wave at the screen with a little smile.]

Hey. Glad I get to thank ya in person for what you left me last time.

[the_caped_crusader]

Archie. I'm glad it was put to good us. I hope your Pokémen are doing well, too?

[restingstitchface]

[Well, isn't this a surprise?]

How pleasant to see you. Again.

[the_caped_crusader]

And you, Jonathan.

[ there's just the slightest hint of something there, bruce unable to shake the fact that back home he's possibly being kept in a nightmare fugue state by his scarecrow and a number of his other rogues who are trying very hard (and doing a damn fine job of) destroying him. ]

[eatsnutsandkicksbutts]

Oh, hey! You've been here before, too? Return-trip-to-another-dimension fistbump!

[ She holds her fist up to the screen. C'mon, Mr. Wayne! Don't leave a girl hanging! ]

[the_caped_crusader]

[ there's a long pause before he looks away from the camera like he can't even believe he's going to fist bump a camera, but he does. though it's kinda weak. ]

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[iminthebook]

[ Harry spends some time staring at the video before actually turning on his camera, because holy moly. Composing himself with that wizardly concentration, he smiles as he signs on. ]

If I might ask, what does Wayne Enterprises do here in this world?

[ A moment, then he starts and waves. ] I'm called Harry Dresden.

[the_caped_crusader]

Harry. [ a nod. ] As I mentioned to Rupert, we're a green conglomerate that deals in a little bit of everything. Anything from pharmaceuticals to electronics. We've been based in De Chima since around 2013, but it's likely you can find us in any of the major cities these days.

[ video ] »

[divaricate]

Well, look who showed up.

[ Said with a friendly tone and half smile. ]

[the_caped_crusader]

Wanda. Still at the bakery?

[ he tries to sound friendly, but instead is just... tired. ]

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[choosetruth]

Mr. Wayne. [Georgia nods, expression carefully flat as usual under her sunglasses.] Georgia Mason. Sounds like you've got a lot of family here.

[the_caped_crusader]

Looks like it, doesn't it? I'm very fortunate in that regard, Ms. Mason.

[ is he really, tho...? ]

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[liverletdie]

So fast! They let you step in so seamlessly.

You put some pretty trustworthy people in place, if they let it go that quickly. The number of times I've done that and it gone...poorly are probably too many to count!

[ It's said as a joke, but... it's Stark. ]

[the_caped_crusader]

It's always a good idea to surround yourself with people with the same values as yours, Tony. Protecting your share majority doesn't tend to hurt either.

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[mildmanneredwriter]

Bruce Wayne?

[Clark may or may not be slightly screaming internally right now. For all that he's heard about it being possible, this man is the first imPort he's seen in the flesh who should very definitely be a comic book character.

Crap. Recover, Clark, recover.]

Sorry, the name just struck me as familiar. I must have spoken to someone who knew you before.

[the_caped_crusader]

That's right. [ he raises an eyebrow. ] Speaking of familiar names, I know a Clark Kent myself. A little older, mind you, but damned if you aren't a spitting image.

video, id: psychopomp

[glowsferatu]

[ The mask on the other end of the video is one Bruce will have seen before, two years ago in Lichtenstein. The face behind it, however, shows no signs of recognizing him, and the voice is heavily filtered. ]

It must be quite an ordeal to reacclimate after so long away, but even so, thou hast begun preparing opportunities with immediacy. Keeping the Stolen employed must be a priority for thee.

[the_caped_crusader]

Why are you dressed like that, Kanaya? And what's with the archaic English?

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[bodilesswarrior]

[Well that...that sure is Bruce fucking Wayne.

A Bruce Wayne that was here ten months ago, which means he's the one Cass was talking about, so not quite their Bruce. Which means the flare of bitterness it's fair, isn't productive.

(The same can be said for the flare of indignant jealousy at my daughter, clashing harshly with the tender approval.)

He's not the man who recently put them all through the wringer. Again. He also looks a bit of a mess, at least by Bruce standards. But that might be on purpose, or - her calibration could be off. He's clearly years younger. Who knows how deep the differences go?

She considers sticking to voice, but that would be its own indication that something is wrong. No, she'll just give him a faint, friendly smile.]

Welcome back. [Mild, pleasant, respectful. Like she's, well, talking to her fiance's father.] Good to know Wayne Enterprises isn't much different here.

[the_caped_crusader]

Barbara. [ he tries not to sound surprised, though it's immediately obvious that this isn't his barbara. his reaction is momentary, and his recovery immediate. ]

I had heard you were here. It's... good to see you. Any version of you.

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[bat_daughter]

[Oh. Oh, God. Just like Uncle Bruce on Earth-One... he looks so much like her father. Younger, maybe a bit more serious... And she isn't going to pretend, even if she doesn't exist in his universe, even if she likes Cassandra, that it doesn't hurt just a little to hear someone else called his kids.]

It's... good to have you back, Mister Wayne. Cassandra and the others have told me a bit about you.

[the_caped_crusader]

[ there's a moment of quiet studying from bruce before he responds, as he aspects her face carefully, deciding on her features, the ones she got from selina, and the ones she got from him. he smiles, though it's hardly noticeable, and certainly not by the standards of her father, but it exists. ]

Helena. Cassandra told me about you, too. I... I'm sure we both have questions for each other.

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[khajidont]

[ Oh. ]

Welcome back, Mr. Wayne.

[the_caped_crusader]

Thank you, Jaime.