11185/Work From Home Day

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Work From Home Day
Date of Scene: 16 May 2022
Location: Arrowcave
Synopsis: Thea works out her frustrations on a dummy until it finally breaks. Also, she does a bit of punching and kicking.
Cast of Characters: Oliver Queen, Thea Queen




Oliver Queen has posed:
There is an odd sound coming from within the Arrowcave. It is typing. Which in and of itself is hardly uncommon to any who have ventured in there. The difference is that the typing is methodical. Focused. SLOW. Even on her worst day, several hours removed from her latest coffee, Felicity could not possibly reign in her frenetic keystrokes to such an extent. Those fingers belong to Oliver Queen. His face bathed in a slight blue tinge from the monitor's glow, his eyes squint at whatever he is looking at. A furrow on his brow, and his lips are tight.

Whatever is it that he is trying to do, it is clearly not working.

Thea Queen has posed:
'Working from home tonight.'

It was the kind of message that spoke tons without saying enough on what had went down but Thea could get an idea on the basics of it. Because if there was one thing that Felicity never did was working from home. It would take an hecatomb of epic proportions for such to happen. But at least it gave her an excuse to leave Moira's watchful gaze. The excuse? The messages she was receiving was from that strapping young man that Moira very much approved did courtship on Thea. Not that Thea cared. She was good at being a free bird right now. So with a, "I will go be alone to exchange messages.." there she went to the arrow cave.

"Hey, what's up?" Thea asks Oliver while approaching. So casual too, hands wrapped around a mug of coffee and a brow slightly arched.

Oliver Queen has posed:
As Thea approaches, Oliver does not look up. "Oh, nothing," he says, voice casual. As if he had no idea that anything was amiss. He squints at the monitor again. "I was just trying to get this tracking system to work, and ... " He shrugs, and leans back in the chair, finally swivelning to regard Thea as she approaches. "I didn't want to bother Felicity, so I was trying to figure it out myself. No big deal."

He offers her a warm smile. "What about you? Anything going on that I should know about?" he says, grinning at the end. "Are you still up to trouble?"

Thea Queen has posed:
"Oh, I don't think you got to worry... I am sure she must be feeling pretty bothered by now.." Whatever does Thea mean with that?! Judgemental look on her expression too. But then Thea lets out a soft sigh, deflating whatever harsh words she might have to say to her brother. Because she's a softie for him.

And she realizes he deserves a chance too.

"Lets get to this from the start.." She then finally suggests, "Why don't you tell me what happened after that other night I was here with you.." she sits on the edge of the table to look at the screen.

Oliver Queen has posed:
There is a clear look of confusion on Oliver's face when Thea says she is already bothered. "What?" He frowns. "Are they giving her too much to do at work?" He shakes his head. "I can deal with that. I'm not the CEO, but if she is getting appreciated by some moron in middle management, I can set him straight." There is a low grade anger lacing Oliver's voice, indignation that someone at his company would not be giving Felicity her fair due.

The shift to the other night makes Oliver tilt his head. "Uh. Nothing, really." He looks up, as if searching his brain for something of consequence. "I mean, I felt bad about what happened in the cafeteria, and she mentioned she was hungry, so I figured I'd show her that Chinese place we like." That super expensive Chinese place that their father used to take them to, when he was feeling indulgent, is more like it. "She made a crack about your driving, by the way. You better be careful, you'll get a rep." He winks at her. "And, I dunno, I think once we got there she just didn't see anything on the menu that she wanted." A pause. "Oh, hey, we ran into Vera! She was passing through town after doing a show."

Then, it seems, he gets it. "Ohhhhhh. She said something about Vera." A shrug. "I think she was a bit jealous of the fact that Vera gets to travel so much, but I tried to tell her that there are trade-offs. You know, always traveling, no roots, no one around who cares about you." Oliver lets loose a long sigh. "I think she doesn't realize what she has, sometimes, you know? I wish there was a way to show her what she means to us."

Thea Queen has posed:
As Oliver starts going all indignant about people giving Felicity a hard time at work there's a big eyeroll from the young sister but she is at least gracious enough to remain silent about it. She is just listening right now! For how long will it last though?

Turns out she doesn't stay quiet for long, "I remember the restaurant. And you truly think that was the best place to bring her to?" she then just mostly ignoring the comment about her driving. She's a great driver! People just don't understand she has no time to wait on traffic and wants to get to places -fast-.

She almost spits out her coffee when Ollie mentions Vera, "Vera? The actual princess bitch is back in town?" she always had the most colorful names about that girlfriend. And about most others too. "And so you actually got to talk with her at the place..." a beat, "Don't tell me you actually sat together for dinner..." she shakes her head slowly at the disaster she is listening to.

Those last words have her look attentively to Ollie, "And what does she mean to you, Oliver?"

Oliver Queen has posed:
"I mean, she was hungry, and I know she has dietary restrictions, and I wanted to take her someplace nice." Oliver shrugs. "What's the big deal? I made it clear it was my treat, so it's not like she had to worry about the cost. It's good great food!" He seems a bit indignant now, like somehow the suggestion of it being an ill-advised choice is offensive.

He frowns a bit at Thea's name for Vera. "Look, that was a long time ago. She's grown as a person since then. Hell, you and I were just as irresponsible and self-absorbed as she was back in the day." At the suggestion of her joining them, Oliver quickly shakes his head. "No, of course not. That'd be silly. The last thing I need would be Felicity getting all judgey because Vera decided to become a lingerie model." He sighs. "No, we just exchanged a few greetings. She invited Felicity and I out to her show in Central City next week, but that was really about it. It seemed like she was nice to Felicity, even though she thought it was a date. Which was actually pretty mature for Vera, now that I think about it. She used to get so possessive."

The last question makes Oliver pause for a moment. He looks at Thea, thinking really hard. "I mean. She's nothing." A shake of his head. "I mean, she used to be, you know, when we were dating, but now..." Another shrug. "I mean, do you think I should go to her show in Central City, and see if there is still anything there? I just don't really feel a connection..."

Thea Queen has posed:
What is it with men and being clueless!? "I meant what does Felicity mean to you, Ollie. Not Vera. Who cares about Vera? Not me.." a smirk before she tells Oliver, "We can make a bet right here right now that the Princess bitch remains as bitchy as she was back then. And a lingerie model too?" she lets out a soft laugh at that, "I can imagine why she wants you going." a beat, "Private show most likely."

"But so, as to recap..." And Thea folds one leg over the other, taking a drink from her coffee because she is just about to go for a long tirade, "So you brought Felicity to one of the most chic and expensive chinese restaurants in town, a place completely out of her comfort zone. At the same time you also came across with Vera, the lingerie -model- you used to date who was -apparently- friendly to Felicity.." another eye roll. ".. and you still don't think nothing's wrong? She felt completely out of place, as if she didn't belong there. You and I, we have been living in this kind of environment since we were born, but not her." a beat, "Please don't tell me Vera was ever along with Felicity in the restaurant..."

"But .., back to my original question. Which is the important one. What does Felicity mean to you and what do you think you could do to make things better?" she asks.

Oliver Queen has posed:
There is a moment where Oliver makes that "o" face (not THAT O face) as he realizes that Thea is asking about Felicity. Probably because he figured she already knew how he felt about her, so the question must have been about Vera. But then Thea goes on. He kind of nods a little, adding a shrug, as she notes the private show. "I mean, she did tell me where she staying," he murmurs softly. He omits the part where she referenced their 36 hour rendezvous at the chalet in France. Definitely was a private show on the menu.

He listens to Thea outline all of the reasons why it was a bad idea to take Felicity to the restaurant. He nods in agreement, as it starts to dawn on him. Slowly. But he's getting there. "I hadn't thought about that. Her comfort zone," he murmurs. He sighs deeply, and shakes his head. "Yeah, wow. I hadn't thought at all that she wouldn't want to go, I just kind of bulled in there." He closes his eyes. "That was so inconsiderate." He opens them and looks at Thea. "And I'm her /boss/. She probably felt pressured to go, and didn't want to tell me no. I mean, why would she want to do that?" A deep, deep sigh, as he looks over towards the keyboard. "She probably wanted to leave because she felt uncomfortable, like I was making some kind of unwanted advance on her." He looks back towards Thea. "I need to call her and apologize. I don't want her thinking that - I respect the hell out of her, and I wouldn't want to take advantage of anything." He nods. "Thanks, Thea. I need to tell her - in no uncertain terms - that I'm fine to let her keep the boundaries that she wants. She's too important to me to risk losing her." Another shake of his head. "And when she's been so, SO clear that she wants to keep things separate and professional."

He lets loose a deep sigh. "I've really made a mess of things, haven't I?"

Thea Queen has posed:
"Of course she did." Thea says with a sweet little smile about Vera having told him where she was staying, "And probably had something planned to spend some lone time together as well. Somewhere exotic most likely. I know all the tricks. I used to be a princess bitch myself after all." some say she still was! "I could always read her like an open book. Too bad you never listen to me..."

That may not exactly be entirely true...

As Ollie then goes on and on about it's all professional with Felicity Thea lets out a sigh, "It's not exactly what I was saying but ..., you will figure it out in time, or not. It's not for me to meddle more than I already do." a slow nod. "But if you would take one last advice ..., maybe offer flowers? It always goes well with apologies.." a wink. "At least I love receiving them.."

Of course she does.

"You better make it sooner than later on that apology or else you might be here till next year creating that thing..."

Oliver Queen has posed:
There are a few thoughts rattling around in Oliver's brain as Thea makes that suggestion. He presses his lips together. "Uh. I appreciate that advice, Thea, I really do. But don't you think getting her flowers would send the opposite message of "I appreciate your desire to keep things strictly professional between us" ?" He throws his hands up in the air. "That's what got me into this mess in the first place."

His fingers open and close multiple times, as if he is contemplating finding something to pick up and throw. "I don't get it, Thea," he says finally, looking up at her. "I want her to be happy. She's smart, and funny, and I feel like she is just, I don't know, waiting for something, instead of going out there and living." He's getting somewhere. "I mean, we talk a bit, sometimes, you know, when we're in here, or on the job. And I feel like she opens up to me, and I know what she wants. She wants that guy to buy her flowers, and take her out to nice restaurants, and treat her the way she deserves to be treated." Keep going, Oliver. Almost there. "And more than anything, I want to see her happy." He takes a deep sigh, and looks up at Thea. "I just think, I don't know. She's amazing, Thea. And anyone would be lucky to have her." Almost there.

"But how is she ever going to find the guy she wants to be with if she spends all of her time in here with me?" There is a pause. Like a light bulb went off in his head. He looks at Thea, sudden realization dawning on his face. He's finally gotten it. Somehow, someway...

"Her work is getting in the way of her finding that person. I have to reduce her workload."

Way to go, Ollie. Keep that aim.

Thea Queen has posed:
Lips press together as Oliver retorts on why flowers may not be the best of ideas. So clueless. Thea keeps her poker face though, because it's not in her to just reveal the 'game'. It's important that her brother can get there on his own. (Well, mostly on his own with the assistance of sidekick Thea).

So when he starts monologuing and starting to get right to the point there's an eager little look from the younger sister. "Uh-uh..." she nods when he says he wants her to be happy. Then when he describes how she's smart and funny... Not bad, bit of a rocky road but he's sort of getting there! And that he wants to see her happy? Marvelous!

"Yes, anyone would be happy to have her wouldn't they? And she does deserve someone that can see all those things about her and ...."

There is a pause as she waits for Oliver to get there until ..., the big 180 degrees reversal.

"Oh, for fuc---" she stops herself, "For someone who claims to never miss you sure do like going out of your way to prove otherwise..." a beat, "Reducing her workload is really the last thing you want to do.."

"And you know what ..., I need to go hit something before I do something I regret.." she has a mug of coffee in her hands and she isn't afraid to use it. "Just think on this .., maybe she is happy doing what she does?" she gets up to her feet and starts walking to the training area.

Oliver Queen has posed:
Once again, the confused face from Oliver. "But...I mean, she said it herself, she wanted to get out of the cave for a bit." He truly seems lost. "I just want her to be happy, Thea. Why is it so hard to believe that I care about her?"

Frustration seems about ready to boil over in him, right as Thea talks about hitting things. "Something /you'd/ regret?" he asks. "Why would this bother you?" He is trying to put the pieces together.

He walks her walk away, befuddled. "Well, yes, if she wasn't happy doing what she does, she wouldn't do it, right?" He moves follow her, apparently not content to let this conversation wither and die. "She believes in our mission, Thea, and the work we do here. It's important to her. What I don't want to see happen is for her to get so consumed in it that she misses out on things, the way I have, when I am too focused on being the Arrow and saving the city to take a few minutes to think about being Oliver Queen." He shakes his head. "I don't want her dedication to being Overwatch overshadow what Felicity needs to do to be happy. Is that so wrong?"

There is an audible moan of frustration. "If push came to shove, I'd rather see Felicity happy and have me go without Overwatch than watch her be unable to live her life the way I can't."

He closes his eyes. "She /deserves/ happiness, Thea." The implication clear in the contrast - he doesn't.

Thea Queen has posed:
No answer right away on why this whole thing bothers her. But eventually Oliver *does* get there even if it is in a rather reversed manner of what Thea wanted.

"You deserve it too." She then finally tells him after having set up a punching bag. Which she then starts delivering on a few one-two combinations. Rather hard ones. "That's what pisses me off.." she finally says. "You are so worried about others that you don't see you deserve some of it as well."

The punches give way to some leg work too as she delivers some kicks, "You talk about her being afraid of living life and like she's waiting for something but you are the one that is locked in that suit. Unwilling to live."

"Haven't we suffered enough already?" Says the one who drowned all her pains in drugs and alcohol for years.

Oliver Queen has posed:
It definitely looks like Oliver wants to punch a bag himself, but Thea beat him to it. So he just stands, tensing and flexing. "You say that, and I really want to believe it, Thea." He takes a breath. "And yes, you're right, I do worry abouit others. It's my /job/, and if I don't who will?"

"I do what I have to do to stay focused. I can't turn my back on the city. Give up on it the way Dad did. I just can't."

He looks down. He knows all about her suffering. How she escaped it. And then he shrugs, as he brings up a very salient question. He looks at Thea. "Even if I were to do that, try to 'life my life' as Oliver Queen /AND/ continue to fight for this city as the Arrow -" He takes a deep breath. "Who would /want/ to live that life with me?"

Thea Queen has posed:
"I will. Diggle will. Felicity will. Even Roy..." Thea delivers one last roundhouse kick to the bag before stepping back, "You are not alone in this fight anymore. It's not about turning your back in the city but let others share the burden of protecting it. For all you have been preaching about us being a team you really haven't changed much have you? Maybe I should had known better before thinking things were getting better.." she runs her hands through her short hair.

"And don't bring Dad into this.." She nearly hisses, "Don't you even dare.." she is starting to go somewhat unhinged in true Thea-rage fashion, "He was a good man." she needs to believe it.

Yet those last words from Ollie? Those get her full attention and she narrows her eyes. She gestures around them, "Just look around you. You will get the answer." she gives Ollie a few moments to process it, "Now go get your jacket and go apologize."

Such a bossy younger sister.

Oliver Queen has posed:
"I never said I was alone, because despite my best attempts otherwise, I keep dragging you all down with me." Oliver throws up his hands and turns around, stalking away for a moment. Her accusation lands at his back, and he shakes it off.

He whirls around when she defends Robert. He opens his mouth to say something, but realize now is not the time to bring up his recent chat with Emiko.

He pauses, though, as she gestures around. He does, what she says, and looks around. Slowly. Then he looks back at her. He seems to be on the verge of it. "She's dedicated to the mission, Thea," he says. But there is a crack there. A certain uncertainty in his voice. As if he knows what Thea is implying. "Not the person."

Thea Queen has posed:
Ufff, Thea reaaaally could use a drink now. It's tempting to go back to old habits. To hide from everything. And she's never been great at confrontational moments with her brother as she has quite the penchant to saying the wrong thing. Like: "Yes, you have always been great at pushing me away." insecurity but also accusation in her tone. She regrets it almost immediately but there's no taking those words back.

So she just rolls with it, "It doesn't mean you have to push her away too. Do you really think she stays here every night only due to devotion to the mission?" She shakes her head, "You are as blind as...." she throws her hands up, not finishing the sentence. "You know what? Figure it out. I already gave you my piece.." she starts walking to the exit of the cave.

"I am going out." She goes up the stairs and slams the door close behind her.

Ollie is left alone with his thoughts. It is what he had wished for. Or wasn't it?

Oliver Queen has posed:
It's not often that Oliver Queen is struck silent. He may not be as chatty as Felicity, but he usually knows and speaks his mind.

He stands dumbstruck, no word escaping as he watches Thea leave. He just stands there, watching her go, and long after she is gone, does he finally stop, and look around. Her words piercing his thick skull.

            "What?"

He looks around for a moment more. "Shit," he says. He grabs his jacket, and runs to the elevator.