10112/Just a Little Backlash Between Friends

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Just a Little Backlash Between Friends
Date of Scene: 13 February 2022
Location: Penthouse - Kord Co
Synopsis: Ted and Stella make up over cold pizza and mimosas, a guitar is played.
Cast of Characters: Ted Kord, Stella Roundtree




Ted Kord has posed:
Ted Kord had a bellyful of awkward. No this was beyond awkward. This was acuity, seeing himself objectively, seeing how his actions might be interpreted. Worst of all the interpretation might be correct. Saying he did not know women was the tip of the iceberg. He gave his heart enough times but did he ever keep his eyes open? Time to fess up, that the failure to connect had a single point of failure, and that point was Ted. He was like a man taking flying lessons who refused to take anymore after take offs.

Were engineering metaphors even called for in this case?

Stella Roundtree has posed:
     After meeting Joan and having a little pizza, Stella very quickly retreated to her apartment. And she only ate one slice! The mood had shifted. Everything seemed a little more stilted, and she spent much of the morning just doing work and listening to music with her headphones on. She's not a happy woman at the moment. Headphones now off, she strums her guitar to decompress, a glass of wine nearby, her second of the session, drifting in and out of acoustic renditions of 80's songs. Her phone is nearby, and she glances to it every so often.

Ted Kord has posed:
Ted Kord had spent a sleepless night. He was not happy. Finally he changed into a fresh track suit. He had faced death before. He was not going to flee a woman who came to his shoulders. He called the front desk and determined Ms. Roundtree had not left the building, because doing a scan of the premises sounded creepy. He squared his shoulders and went down to Stella's door. He noted her doorstep was about where he had gotten knifed by the Mikado. That was less stressful. In any case he knocked on the door and said, "Hello... it's Ted. I brought a peace offering -breakfast pizza." He listens to the guitar music till it stops.

Stella Roundtree has posed:
     She's running out of files to keep her busy! And she is hungry. "Come on in, door's unlocked," she says. The sound of the guitar stops, though strings vibrate as she sets it aside. And upon entry, one will find her in pajama pants with coffee mugs as the pattern and an oversized black and red striped sweater. They do not match. "Didn't think I'd ever see you again," she says, neutral. Maybe she just wants to see what else he brought with the pizza.

Ted Kord has posed:
Ted Kord actually brought (via Bobo) champagne and orange juice and a carafe to mix mimosas. He sets them down and nods to the bot who begins mixing the drinks. "I want to talk. I had no idea your meeting was going to turn out that way. I don't know what put Joan off initially. Then I wanted to give you a little space and then... you said I missed something and they way you said it... I thought I was about to be permanently friendzoned or kicked to the curb." He sets the pizza box down. "I will add to my flaws, I don't know how girls work. But I do mean well. I just... I was having a meltdown over the idea of losing a chance with you. Did I?" He holds his hands out questioning or perhaps to grab a lifeline anyone might throw. Then Bobo plops a mimosa in his hand.

Stella Roundtree has posed:
     "I don't know, either! Just seemed like a clash at first," she says. She does watch as mimosas are being made, and that seems to settle this. "Sometimes that just happens. People don't always get along right away. But you gotta stop thinking that girls are mysterious. We're not. I don't know if it's female socialization or what, but I was definitely, visibly nervous."
     She opens up the pizza box, taking a cold slice and a bite from the slice.
     "Not everything is life or death. But if you keep treatin' it like every mistake is a huge deal, it'll get exhausting in a hurry. I'm not a comfort animal for an insecure man. You want me romantically, you meet me in the middle," she says. "Do not leave me by myself in awkward social situations. I don't like that. If you keep DOING that," she says, pausing for a taste of the mimosa. Yum. "I will be pissed. Mistakes happen. I am informing you. You are now aware," she says in a tone that sounds like it might be rehearsed from telling clients unpleasant information.
     "So. Do you have any questions, and also... were you texting last night after you went out to throw your phone around?"

Ted Kord has posed:
Ted Kord shakes his head. "I sent a message to Booster and said I was very worried. I got an eggplant from Booster. He was being a dick. I was not in the mood for it. And life and death is how superheroes see most things. I will work on it."

"I suppose asking for a hug would be pushing my luck?" Maybe that was the mimosa talking? It was a really good mimosa. He wondered what algorithm Bobo was applying to it?

Stella Roundtree has posed:
     "Hm. Well, I will try to be aware of that's how you might be thinkin'. I'm not asking you to change who you are, let me be real clear on that," she says. "I like who you are as a person. I am saying that that was a behavior I don't like, but now you know about it, and I accept the apology and appreciate you workin' on it," she says, a little more relaxed as that mimosa disappears. She holds out her glass, hoping for another. "And suuuuure, you can have a hug," she says, scooting closer. "Did you think I was really going to scream at you?" she smirks.

Ted Kord has posed:
Ted Kord gently hugs Stella then dives into it, rest his chin on her head for a moment. "No I was scared last night you'd think Joan and I were a thing and that I was a cheater. But believe me, we were never more than friends. This was what I meant by not knowing how gurrrrls work." Maybe a little tension remains as Stella finds herself standing on the balls of her feet for a moment before she gets released. Ted holds his glass out to Bobo as well. Both glasses get filled quickly. He wonders how he could stress so over her and at the same time feel so good.

Stella Roundtree has posed:
     "Oh, I don't care about THAT," she says. "You'd be very stupid to think I'd take being a mistress well. And you seem smart. Most of the time," she says. "Don't care if you guys had a thing, either, for the record. Hell, I have friends I dated, I'd hope you wouldn't be mad that I still talk to them or spend time with them," she says. "Are superheroes possessive?" she ponders, returning to her feet, and then back to lounging on her couch. "Typically? You're the first one I've ever gone on a date with," she says. And then starts working on that next drink.

Ted Kord has posed:
Ted Kord sits down next to her and puts his arm on her shoulders. "No naw I'm not possessive. Talk to whoever you want. You're a grown woman. As for other superheroes... only one I know well is Booster. I don't think he ever had a girlfriend since I met him."He snags a slice for himself and chews away.

"I mean, superheroes are all different too. that's like saying are Mutants punctual? Some are, some aren't. So you got anymore questions for me? Or statements?"

Stella Roundtree has posed:
     "No way, Booster doesn't have a girlfriend? That's a shame, his breakfast-making skills are pretty impressive, and sometimes that's half the battle," she asks, trying not to laugh. The mimosas make that hard, they are drinks meant to giggle with over brunch. "Okay, but good point. I actually don't know that many other mutants, other than my mom. And some of the ones I've met here, but only met for a little bit," she says, resting her feet on the coffee table. "As for statements!' she says, almost losing toppings from her pizza as she gestures, "My only one for right now is that it's better to ask than to be upset without answers," she says, leaning her head back against his arm.

Ted Kord has posed:
Ted Kord cuddles a little closer. "Agreed. Whenever you have a day open, we can measure your powers and maybe set up some control exercises for you. I have a couple ideas. Like maybe you can freeze a person's finger on a can of mace. I mean we met already. No sense in getting blinded again. So two questions... am I getting a kiss after that date like you said, and would you like to hear Nick Drago for our second date? He lives in New York and a lot of people like him. He has a cable show, Theme of the Crime, does acting, you know him?"

Stella Roundtree has posed:
     "I'd like that. I also have a number for a dojo that I have to go visit at some point," she says. She's feeling herself, and smiles. "Yes! I'd love to go see Nick Drago! Some of his songs pop into my rock playlists from time to time. And that was your second question. Sure, you can have a kiss."
     Boy she can move fast after breakfast. She places her palms on his thigh and leans forward, giving him a smooch on the lips. Not too wet, thankfully. And then she's back to her spot, some mimosa splashed on her hand, which she addresses in a similar manner. "Wait, did I mis-time that?" she asks.

Ted Kord has posed:
Ted Kord scratches his head. "I couldn't say. I only have the one. I'd need a couple of kisses to firm a cross sectional analysis." Bobo tsks and refills Stella's glass.

"Hey, would you like to jam with Nick Drago? Would you like to play a little now? I mean you know a bunch of my secrets. I haven't heard you yet, except when I was knocking on the door." He moves his head next to hers. 'Hmmmm?"

Stella Roundtree has posed:
     "Well maybe you'll get another one to compare it to, if you're good," she says. She reaches for her guitar and picks it up, a black acoustic, though it does have a plug at the bottom should it need to be wired in. "I'm definitely not that good! I can read tabs and plunk along," she says. "And some songs I have memorized," she says, instinctively starting to strum. "What kinda mood are you in? Maybe I can remember something to keep it goin'," she says.

Ted Kord has posed:
Ted Kord smirks. "Oh play what you were playing when I interrupted. Tell you what, I'll trade a foot or back rub for a song. Your choice... oh thank you Bobo, I'm good."

Stella Roundtree has posed:
     "I was just goofing around, but let's see," she says. She starts with some Pixies, Where is My Mind." She hums along at times, but she doesn't sing, and every so often she pauses to sip a little more of that delicious mimosa. "All right. I don't think I'm mad anymore," she declares.

Ted Kord has posed:
Ted Kord pats the couch. "Come get your reward," he says, rubbing his hands together. Bobo makes another mimosa for Stella. the morning was shaping up nicely. He really wishes he had written down everything she said. Now he'd have to get a transcript from Bobo.