11380/Wonders and Huge Clocks

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Wonders and Huge Clocks
Date of Scene: 29 May 2022
Location: Historic Clocktower - Penthouse
Synopsis: Cassie Sandsmark goes QUANTUM! Soda anyway...
Cast of Characters: Barbara Gordon, Cassie Sandsmark




Barbara Gordon has posed:
The call was put out on a few channels, including the ties to the Justice League, for any interested 'heroes' who'd like to help out the Birds of Prey get a footing for more presence in Manhattan. When Cassie Sandsmark had replied, Barbara had been very eager to make this connection happen. You can't get much better than a member of the Wonder family offering to be that contact point!

A time had been setup for Cassie to make it to Gotham and meet up in the Birds of Prey HQ, or rather... Barbara Gordon's home... the historic clocktower.

Publicly the Clocktower is considered a large apartment complex, though in actuality, it's mostly entirely vacant save for the Birds who use the retrofitted levels, rooms, etc, to train and prepare for the missions that they embark upon.

Tonight, the penthouse apartment is as presentable as ever, and just as eccentric in design as ever too.

Babs has some drinks set out, and some food too, nothing major just some simple snacks and such. The penthouse itself is well lit, and there's even a television on playing some movie for ambient noises. Dressed in dark clothes, Barbara has her red hair tied back in to a bun on the crown of her head, her black framed glasses on her nose and a glass of orange soda, of all things, in her hand as she stands at her computer station looking at the monitoring systems.

Cassie Sandsmark has posed:
Cassie is not wholly unfamiliar with Gotham, nor its particular tropes and thematic flourishes: her very earliest heroing days actually started in the company of one of many Robins, and nowadays he has his own secret clubhouse a few rooftops over.

And yet... AND YET!

There is still always something about visiting Gotham, about leaving her normal stomping grounds for the dark and dare we say gothic city. As a youth in Metropolis, she was pretty spoiled by glitz and shine and the amount of Big Name superhero action, clobbering the badguys with ease. After moving to NYC for her school, her job at the Embassy... and as a convenient excuse to establish some INDEPENDENCE and distance from her mom... she also got a taste of the supposed grit and grime of that infamously tough city. But Gotham? Gotham is in its own class of artful, everpresent sleaze. When she flies over, there's care taken in not being too flashy about it, using the rooftops for cover. You never know when some random weirdo with a funny outfit and a ray gun will take a shot at you!

But Cassie arrives unmolested, touching down directly from the air, and in through a penthouse window.

Promptly, she looks around, and it's hard to tell if she's impressed or disappointed? "Huh. Nice place. You know when you gave me the name of the place, I thought this might actually be... you know, like, the actual inside of a clock, all gears and stuff." Gotham prejudice! "But this is really slick."

From this initial impression, she ambles nearer, until she's close enough to peeeeeer in at that computer screen, openly curious. "You watching crime? There anything good?"

Barbara Gordon has posed:
Barbara is actually staring at a whole wall of computer screens when Cassie arrives. Her computer station is up a few stairs on a custom built platform that rests to the north of the kitchen area, and to the west of the main clockface window that faces out toward the city beyond. Barbara turns upon Cassie's arrival, and shows the young woman a happy smile. "Ever and always." She replies as she walks toward her, her right hand switches her drink over to her left, then she extends it. "Nice to have you here." She tells the blonde. "Welcome back to Gotham City too."

With that, Babs starts to walk down the few steps from that computer platform to touch down on the hardwood floor of the main penthouse level. She starts to walk toward the kitchen area... which is straight up a 1950s nuclear family style kitchen... though if one looks close enough, they'll see a number of 'Fallout' props and collectibles around it, giving a severe hint of some gamer-nerd elements to this place.

"Want a drink?" Babs asks. "Soda? Water? You're not quite drinking age, are you?" She asks, clearly having done some research on Cassie prior to the Wonder Gal showing up here tonight.

In the mint green, white and pale sky blue kitchen, Babs sets her glass down and steps toward the big old fashioned fridge, expecting Cassie to be thirsty after flying in!

Cassie Sandsmark has posed:
After letting her gaze dance around a bit among the myriad of screens and no doubt the interesting collection of happenings captured therein, Cassie reaches to accept the offered hand, grinning at Barbara's ever-vigilant attitude. "Yeah, I'm glad to swing by, and it's nice to... well, I don't know about nice, but I like... uh. Gotham's definitely got a charm, you know? Never fails for something interesting to go down when I'm out here, it seems like." Is that a premonition? Will they soon be raided by gangsters in animal outfits?!

Any concern for Gotham shenanigans is pushed to the back burner, however, as she quickly falls into step behind her host. More gawking about, which grows especially prominent as they arrive at the unusually old-fashioned kitchen that turns out to be unusually nerdy instead. But Cassie? For all she gets accused of cheerleader-esque appearance, this kind of stuff is totally her jam. "Oh wow. This is amazing!" She's soon examining and admiring various prop details... to a degree that extends into that offer of a drink. "Do you have that real Nuka cola stuff they made?" She grins, and laughs. "Nah, I know it's kinda limited edition and you can't exactly get more... and actually, my birthday's just in a couple weeks. You're invited if you want, we're gonna prowl around the Village and terrorize all the bars." Who's the hero, here?

"But really, a soda's great." The sugar is super fuel!

Barbara Gordon has posed:
Babs opens the freezer up on the fridge and pulls out a cold mug. She then walks toward the center island where there is a literal Mini Nuke sitting in the center of it beside some Pip-Boy figurines, just like the ones you collect in the games. "We sure do." Babs says as she tips the Mini-Nuke over. Inside it are a series of bottles all labeled Nuka Cola. "Quantum. Cherry. Rad-X, and a few others." She notes with a proud smile. "I got a guy online who makes this stuff himself. It's really fantastic." She says while offering the mug. "Pick whatever one you want." They're even chilled inside the little Mini-Nuke container.

"And yeah..." Babs says then as she glances toward the big clockface on the nearest wall. "Gotham is a being all its own... one that keeps us all very busy, and generally in some shape of injury or recovery." She adds with a light smirk.

"But yeah, I was excited to hear from you. We've been wanting to push the Birds toward New York a bit more. I'm hoping to ... I dunno... gather up more young girls who want some direction as a would-be-hero. Maybe get them outta danger of trying to do it all on their own. I am... loathe to read another article about a lonely hero kid who gets themselves in too deep, without any real training."

She raises her glass of orange Nuka soda up to take a sip from it.

Cassie Sandsmark has posed:
Now, it ain't like things aren't fancy at the Embassy - extremely posh even, with their in-house kithotaur master chef and everything! Yet Cassie's always had a certain feeling about these bat-folk... that for NOT being actual Princesses or the like, they sure do have some fancy cribs! Especially since they're all, well, basically more or less kids her age. Every one of these places looks like some fourteen year old's fantasy fever dream!

And so she gawks a little at this very impressive Mini-Nuke fridge with its full assortment of Nuka-flavor, muttering a, "Huh, you sure do..." in echoed response. Looking between all the flavors, she doesn't even seem quite sure, but ultimately goes for the Quantum. Because if she's gonna try this stuff, she's gonna go big! Of course she's never actually had one so it's bound to be a surprise.

With the unnaturally blue drink in hand, she again falls into a certain pace with Barbara, following her gaze as the talk turns business-y. "New York's pretty much a free for all, so yeah, I don't think there's ever really such a thing as too many heroes to help out, so if it's something you're looking to take a bite outta... well, I definitely think there's good to be done. And honestly, much as I wanna, handling a lot of the stuff on the streets is tough, when Di's always dragging me to exotic locales to fight giant nonsense-monsters. So like, having someone with the experience you do to coordinate would be good. I was actually thinking, could be a kinda... I don't know, put an Amazon spin on it too? We do self-defense courses at the Arts Center, but for the most part, that's where it ends, we're not trying to stir up trouble by like having a bunch of self-proclaimed teen Amazons running around as vigilantes."

There's a thoughtful pause, before she elaborates on that, seeming slightly frustrated. "I mean, -I'd- love that. Teach 'em and let 'em loose to crack some skulls. But it's tricky. We get protested sometimes, you know? Cuz we're pagan ladyfolk teaching the evils of feminism!" Clearly she is envisioning a certain type of protestor. "But I guess I mean, Bat or uh, Bird-branding it, that might go over a bit better? You guys got a pretty solid rep."

Barbara Gordon has posed:
Barbara leads Cassie away from the kitchen then, both of them with their drinks now. She passes by a small sitting / research / library area, as well as a bedroom that is 'walled off' by some foldout blinds. The penthouse is a loft apartment, so everything is all in the main room, so to speak, save for a corner that has a doorway likely to a restroom.

"I've heard about the ARts Center, it sounds like a heck of a place. I should go and check it out, take some of the Birds with me too. Maybe call it a field trip. Remember how exciting it was to go on Field Trip days in school?" Babs asks with a grin as she leads Cassie toward that television that is on in the living room area at the core of the loft apartment.

"What the Amazons stand for is an inspiration to what I'm doing here, in fact. Combat training is one thing, but we really just want to unify everyone to have what they need to succeed. Because most of the women we've taken in are gonna do this kinda 'work' with or without us, which makes me believe they'll be safer if we do it all together, as a group." Babs says as she motions toward the tv and the movie on it fades away to be replaced with a schematic of the Clocktower.

Barbara motions toward it. "As you can see, we've converted the majority of the building to serve as our Headquarters. With training facilities, workshops, a full garage for any needed vehicle work, labs, and more. In fact, if you need a get away, there's apartments here that you can use as a home away from home while here in Gotham." Babs tells the blonde with a soft smile for her.

And the Quantum cola? It tastes like a blueberry and minty mixture, very bubbly too.

Cassie Sandsmark has posed:
"Oh, well, I was usually... my field trips were always kinda 'extra,' since my mom's this crazy world-traveling archeologist type. I'd get hauled along, cause she couldn't really easily leave me, single-mom and all." Weirdly, she makes it sound like a chore! "I actually missed a lot of normal school 'cause of it, and I'd have to do make-ups sometimes." Yep, she makes it sound like a sob story, despite being kinda awesome!

"But a field trip to the Arts Center would be way more fun," Cassie ultimately agrees, not wanting to undermine the ACTUAL bit Barbara was getting at. "I mean there's all kinds of actual art too, but for you, well, I figure everyone might enjoy doing some Themysciran combat courses. They're totally brutal." Now she's bragging! "You're right though, if someone's got a big enough chip, they're gonna go out one way or another. So yeah, having some kinda scheme to take 'em in and organize things, that seems like the best bet."

So there is a meeting of minds on this basic goal, further pondered as Cassie sips her brightly-colored drink and watches the TV screen go all fancy. What was that, about these Batlings having some crazy setups? She starts to laugh. "Oh wow, lookit all of that... you're just like T-" Pause. "You guys all know each other, right? All you Robins and Batgirls and Nighbirds and whatnots?"

Barbara Gordon has posed:
Babs interlaces her fingers in front of her stomach as she listens to Cassie bemoan her totally awesome childhood. It even has the redhead showing a light grin that she tries to keep down because she doesn't want to point that out TOO directly. "I can only imagine." Babs responds quietly though.

At the question of the Robins, and Birds, Barbara nods her head two quick times. "In general. Though as busy as we all are, we rarely get times to spend together with each and every one. Batman has put together quite a team here, which is great... it's given him more time to, well... you know." She speaks quietly then. "He's getting old." She says lovingly of course.

With a glance toward the television showing off the various levels of the tower, Babs raises her drink up for a sip from it again.

"I would be beside myself with glee if I got to participate in any form of Amazon training. I've been a martial arts enthusiast since I was barely old enough to even operate a television. It's what lead me in to everything I do no... a gateway drug, if you wanna use a crass term." She says with a large smirk.

Cassie Sandsmark has posed:
It's true what they say: The grass is always greener!

"Sure, sure," she answers, understandingly and perhaps discretely, not probing further on the precise details of all the Batling organizational secrecy. She really is the very opposite of them, when it comes to that stuff, but she's tryin'! "He does a bit of that it seems like. Team sponsorin', I mean," she notes, after realizing she's basically going full deja vu here, teamwise. "Like with the Outsiders, too. Handed us some pretty sweet gear, even after Hope shot him! Haha. I wish I coulda seen more of his face under that mask-thing... or ours, 'since pretty much we all thought he was gonna murder us."

Perhaps Barbara has the SANER of the spinoff franchises...

"Anywhoo... yeah for sure if you wanna come by and do some training, we'll hook you up. I mean, for YOU, I'm pretty sure I can get Diana to give you some pointers. VIP treatment, you know?" ERROR. ERROR. Reality conflict. "Though her schedule can be kind of nuts... either way! I'm sure you'll love it. It's a crazy workout, and we got some killer moves." She's grinning widely now, challenge in her eyes. "Gotta see how the streets of Gotham represent!"

Barbara Gordon has posed:
Barbara starts to walk again then toward the computer terminal level, as she looks back over her shoulder showing the other a grin. "I have not had a chance to ever speak to Diana. My hero infatuation probably would've solely rested upon her, were she a public figure back in those days. May have completely altered my life, all things considered." She adds as she steps back up to the computer area. There are a few chairs there all facing their individual terminals... and yes one of the computers in the corner looks just like a Fallout terminal.

"This is where we run most of our Oracle missions. We're adding new Oracles, in fact, if you know any young tech savvy types who would be interested in such a position. They're essentially a dispatcher for people out 'in the field'. Though often have to work very quickly to bring up schematics, blueprints, and any information that a Bat, or otherwise, may need. Remote hacking is a thing too, let alone drone piloting." Babs speaks with her free hand going down to rest atop a flight stick for drone control... or video games, maybe both!

"If you're up for it though..." Barbara says as she looks to Cassie. "Your combat training could really come in handy here. We have some youthful times that could really use some direction in hand to hand combat styles that are very unusual, such as... well... everything I assume you're trained in." She shows a light grin for the younger woman.

"But... that's up to you. Really, I'm just glad to have your experience around in-general. I've seen footage of what you and Diana have gone up against here and there. It's... above my pay grade, so to speak."

Cassie Sandsmark has posed:
"Yeah, that's pretty much how it was for me. Heh. Maybe you woulda stolen my gig, if you had!" This is of course somewhat nonsensical, ignoring the hand of the Fates in the Olympian teen's life... and thus, a joke! "But Batman's a solid runner-up role-model." BIG GRIN. "I mean, some people might quibble about all the gloomy emo stuff and whatnot, but around here, it fits in. Your gargoyles-to-rooftop ratio is just nuts." While it is dubious that is a real statistic recorded anywhere, she's probably not wrong!

Again, when Barbara continues on her tour route, Cassie falls into place behind her, trailing at a steady pace and taking in all the gadgetry the tower has to offer, now turned to the computing centerpiece. "Pretty aweomse setup. I bet you get great FPS in shooters..." Another big dumb grin! "I'm really not big on the tech angle, myself. Well, you know, BESIDES games and that kinda stuff. But yeah. 'Chick in the chair,' mission-control, all that kinda deal. I've seen the movie. Very cool. It's a great way to have someone help out without putting them right in harm's way." A thumb is jerked back at the center of her chest. "Me, though? Definitely the harm's way type. With the kinda outfit you got here? Well, I figure, you've basically just recruited a new main tank." More videogame nonsense lingo!

Despite that, if it's training Barbara wants, Cassie's quick to agree. "Oh, totally. That's a big part of the Amazon education. You learn to do, but you also learn to teach, to lead others to do, etc. Full circle, no gaps in knowledge, every warrior able to step up and shoulder the job of a fallen sister." And despite the prideful outward thrust of her chest and raising of her chin as she speaks of this intense training creed, she quickly reins things in as her experience goes. "I've really only been doing this a couple years, but for sure, I've seen some crazy stuff. Anyway, whatever you need, you got it, yeah? That's how warrior sisters do."