1219/Include the Weird Kid

Include the Weird Kid
Date of Scene:	18 April 2020
Location:	Main Room - Titan's Tower
Synopsis:	Diana has told the Titans that they should let the wierd kid play. Miss America Chavez comes to the tower!
Cast of Characters:	Donna Troy, America Chavez, Caitlin Fairchild, Rachel Roth

---

Donna Troy has posed:
    So spake Diana, thus it shall be: "She might fit well with the Titans," she had told Donna. A recommendation Donna, at least, would not ignore. One short introduction later, and Miss America Chavez had been invited to come and visit the tower. While the current status of the Titans is still somewhat up in the air, there does seem to be a pressing notion that the Titans are /restarting/, and equally the notion that MAC might want to take a look, mutual consideration being given to her becoming a member.

    The tower that the Titans call home is an impressive one. While not particularly tall by the standards of many buildings in Manhattan, its position on a small island of its own just off the coast of the St Martin's Island neighborhood of Metropolis, which is generally mid-rise at best, makes it stand out for miles. The shape, too, is highly unusual, the clear capital T an eye-catching sight against the skyline.

    Arriving at the tower is an interesting experience - it has been built to cutting edge specifications as a smart building, and just about everything is automated - including the passage from the lobby up the elevator and into the large main room of Titans tower, where they regularly meet. Illuminated arrows in the floor point the way, synthetic voices advise. All in all it's rather a fun experience.

America Chavez has posed:
Ever since being invited to stay at the Themysciran Embassy, Ms America Chavez hadn't really gone very far afield. She still went out 'looking for trouble', but most of the time was spent learning from the Amazons there and just acclimatizing herself with this world that she feels she may be spending more than a little time in. The offer to come to the Tower was gratefully accepted, however, and at her first opportunity MAC had taken to the sky and flown in a Metropolis-y direction.

She's in the lobby, following the glowing arrows and the pleasant voice. She hasn't really dressed up for the whole affair. A pair of black short-shorts regardless of the weather and a star-spangled denim jacket over a blue t-shirt. She's even sporting a little pin in the stylized 'W' that is Wonder Woman's insignia on her lapel, just because.

"I like the big T," she tells the automated voice just because it's the only thing around at the moment to listen, "I had a smoothie inside a building shaped like a big banana once. Not the same."

Caitlin Fairchild has posed:
"Not quite the same," Caitlin agrees, emerging from the stairwell. Happy Harbor High's resident science teacher isn't a total stranger to America Chavez, but the last time Mac saw Caitlin she was wearing a lab coat. Now, she's in exercise gear; green with aubergine highlights, a sport top that exposes just an inch of her midriff and leggings that terminate just below her knee. Compression sleeves guard her arms from tricep to wrist. From the look of it, she's just coming from the gym.

"For one, we have better smoothies," Caitlin says, and at that a beaming smile flashes across her face. "It's America Chavez, right?" she inquires, diplomatically. "We met a while back. I'm Caitlin Fairchild. Princess Diana said you'd be coming over; can I offer you a drink or a smoothie or something?" From the state of her hair and a little perspiration on her neck, Caitlin was mid-workout when she got the alert that Mac was on her way up.

Rachel Roth has posed:
    Raven had been -requested- to remain behind in Diana's office at the Embassy during the introductions. Admittedly, it's probably for the best, as Raven is... Intense, and shouldn't be the first Titan that most meet. Especially when she's torturing Donna more or less without end.

    However, that didn't stop her from being present -this- time. Raven knows that someone is approaching before the tower does, but she reacts to it with less urgency than both the automated systems and Caitlin.

    It is then that Raven merely -appears-. Not from the stairwell, not from really anywhere... It's as if one shadowy section of the lobby just -grew- a goth during a moment that nobody was looking. Whether or not she had been there the whole time is up for debate, but there is no provable answer.

    Hands sheathed in the pockets of her hoodie, she steps forward a few strides, hood still up and obscuring her features save for her mouth with... Somehow deeper darkness than it should.

    "Greetings." she states, in that monotonous voice of hers, "Be advised that I have no idea if anyone has done any shopping for the kitchen in two years. The smoothies may be deadly. We mostly just order pizza."

Donna Troy has posed:
"Really, Rae. Cait is here, you think she would allow the kitchen to go ten minutes without being filled with fresh fruit and veg? Not to mention a range of healthy drinks to counteract the invidious presence of the soda dispensers."

    Donna had been waiting on the huge sofa for Mac, having been the one who arranged for the visit and set the systems to direct her with those fancy arrows and things. When the elevator doors open, she's already getting to her feet to greet the newcomer.

    "Welcome to the Titan's Tower, America Chavez," she says with a wide smile. "And three at least of the old Titans. We are sort of putting things back together now, and there are newbies around. You're getting the old guard, but I'm sure you will meet the new guys soon enough. "

    "Are you hungry, or like a drink?" Donna asks, gesturing towards the end of the room which is set up as a rather impressive kitchen and dining area. "Or shall we just sit down and have a chat?" She gestures towards the sunken floor area, and huge semi-circular sofa where she had been sitting.

America Chavez has posed:
"Pfft," America says, eyeing Caitlin askance for a moment when she mentions better smoothies, "We'll see about that. If you're using that pre-diced fruit from those little vacuum sealed bags you already screwed up, chica."

Raven's sudden appearance draws her attention and she leans back a bit on her heels. She looks the Goth woman up and down from head to toe, as though trying to get the measure of this shadow-appearing person. She purses her lips, screwing them up to one side thoughtfully.

"That's right," she answers, glancing back at Caitlin again, "America Chavez." Then, looking back to Raven, "Pizza's good, too. There's a good Thai place in the city but I don't know if they deliver, y'know, over the water."

When she spots Donna approaching she strides quickly towards her, beaming wide. It was Diana's idea she be here, after all, so she's playing nice.

"Yeah, a drink sounds good. Sounds like Doctor F was gonna make smoothies?" Her tone is a little hopeful.

Caitlin Fairchild has posed:
"It's just Caitlin, while we're in the Tower," Caitlin reassures America. "And trust me, I know how to make a smoothie. Give me just a few minutes and I'll whip some up for everyone."

She turns to head to the kitchen and makes eye contact with Raven-- the redhead eyes the goth, then 'tbbts' subtly in response to the offhand comment about food rotting in the larder.

Even before she'd settled back in her old room, Caitlin had been putting in orders to restock the pantry, after all! It's only a few moments work to start drinks churning and mixing in the kitchen, the sounds muted by a short distance and good noise insulators aronud the commercial-grade blender.

The nutritional needs of the Titans are sufficient to justify industrial equipment when it comes to food prep!

Rachel Roth has posed:
    At that, Raven just sort of shrugs. "I don't assume anything. None for me, though. I made coffee." When? When did she make coffee? Was she down here before everyone arrived, doing some weird thing with a carafe and a chemex? Was it magic? Considering Raven, any of these questions could have vaguely sarcastic non-answers that only approximate the idea of the idea of the truth.

    Regardless, it is only moments later that she has a mug in her hand, somehow perfectly timed with the moment that she wasn't being observed. She is, of course, hard to read- unless one reads legs, which would probably be a bad idea.

    Striding confidently, she makes her way to the couch, and takes a seat.

    "It's not all fun and games. There is a specific reason you were asked here, and it isn't just for a meet-and-greet. There is not much ceremony to stand on."

    Sip.

Donna Troy has posed:
    Donna tilts her head sideways and gives Mac a look which somehow manages to express the fact that she's apologizing for Raven, while at the same time affectionately amused by her behaviour. "That's Raven," she says. Because nobody had actually introduced the goth properly yet. "Don't worry, she kind of grows on you."

    Donna leads Mac over to the sofa, and takes a seat close to Raven, who she gives a teasing smile to. "Yes, as Raven says. The Titans stopped being a team three years ago, but apparently the team is starting up again. There are new people joining the ranks. My sister believes you would be a good candidate, if you are interested."

     "So, Miss America Chavez. I am Donna, or Troia, whichever you prefer. This is Raven, or Raerae, or Miss Snarkeypants. And Caitlin you know. What should we call you, America? Amy? What do you prefer?"

America Chavez has posed:
Mac blinks at Raven a few times, as though trying to get the measure of her. Exuding that 'who gives a damn' attitude that is quintessentially hers, Mac takes a few steps towards the couch before gravity lets go of her and she floats through the air. A second later she's sitting on the back of it, feet crossed on the seat alongside Raven. She folds her legs at the ankles, props her elbows on her knees and rests her chin in her palms.

"So you want me to be a Titan," she asks, looking between the pair, "Donna and Raerae? I mean, it sounds fun. Don't you already have strong people who fly and move fast? I suppose I've got the star portals going for me but are there many Titan problems in other universes?"

Rachel Roth has posed:
    Raven's expression sours, only in so much that it is bordering on more than simply her regular Neutral-Unhappy. "Much of those are terms of endearment. That you -earn.-" Her attention is mostly on Donna, who is misappropriating her nicknames. "And can -un-earn."

    Despite this, Raven takes another small sip of her coffee, letting the statement linger for a few moments. "I invite you to think of any reason you can that we should not have more people who are strong, fly, and move fast. You're not trying to get an edge up on your team mates, and most of the things we deal with can be punched three times, if they can be punched once."

Donna Troy has posed:
    Donna leans back, folding her arms behind her head and leaning a leg across Raven's lap. This is both an outrageous liberty and a sign of affection which she hopes will cause Raven some internal conflict. After the last few days of being tormented, Donna is determined to level some small degree of revenge on Raven.

    " Other universes?" Donna says with a smile. "Not so much, though you never know. But as Raven says, the Titans really can't have too many people who can fight. Being strong, flying and moving fast is my thing too, but I'm certainly not going to resent you for..." she looks blank a moment before thinking of the word. "Encroaching. Encroaching on my territory. The more the merrier, yes? The world needs us. Especially with the Justice League barely operational."

America Chavez has posed:
"Well, as long as we can all learn to share, huh?"

The comment about earning and un-earning nicknames only draws a broad grin out of America, who resists the urge to lean in and give Raven a hug simply because she doesn't know if she'll get electrocuted or something. But she exudes the air of one who would definitely hug if it was unwarranted. Probably only when it was unwarranted, honestly.

"I mean, what do I need to do?" she asks, "I've never been on a team before. Not one that had like a proper headquarters, anyway. Do I need to fill out any paperwork? If so, then pass. I'd rather just be a guest star."

Rachel Roth has posed:
    For the longest time, Raven stares down at the leg encroaching- topically- on her territory. Were this a television show, there would be a series of close-ups, snap cutting from Raven's face, to the leg, and back- each time further zoomed in. Eventually, she decides to wordlessly allow the leg to remain. Her hood is up, so luckily, the spreading pink of her cheeks is very difficult to notice.

    Raven labors in silence for a time, before she speaks back up. "There's no paperwork. We decided early on, when things got more serious than random teamups, that we wouldn't give Garfield any excuses to eat paper." She takes a sip of her coffee, "Other than that, you just come by the tower, answer the communicator, work and train with us to do what we all do. There's a room in the tower for you if you want it."

Donna Troy has posed:
    "Well I guess the first thing to do would be to meet more of the team and see if you gel with them, and they with you," Donna says. "Being part of a team isn't for everyone, and being part of this particular team is..." she stops to hunt for a word again, but this time not so much because English isn't her first language as because - how do you describe it? "Particular," she finally concludes.

    "Also the status of the team is a little confused at the moment. I'm not entirely sure who is the team leader right now. I guess it falls to you as the senior Titan, Rae." Donna gives Raven a soft smile that is distinctly sympathetic, suspecting that's a position Raven would not relish. "Or Gar, maybe. He has been the one who really worked to start things up again here."

    Donna settles down in the sofa, making herself really comfortable, and Raven slightly uncomfortable. Which she totally deserves. This being Donna though, the brief look she flashes to Raven mixes an apologetic shrug with an affectionate grin.

America Chavez has posed:
"Raerae's the boss, got it," America nods her head curtly, unwilling to let go of that nickname regardless of whether or not she has the right to use it, "Well, I can meet people. I've been meeting a lot of people. Diana, you guys ... Terry, that guy with the podcast, said I should come see you, too."

Mac's brow curves curiously as she watches the interplay between the two, subtle though it may be. She's at the very far edge of the couch and perched atop the back of it, giving them plenty of room. Her head still rests in the palms of her hands, and she laughs faintly.

"Well, your big T isn't that far from the embassy. At least not for me. I can come by when you need me." She quickly adds, "I don't really want to move in, though. I ... uh, I like it at the embassy."

Rachel Roth has posed:
    Raven can only nod along for a while, gesturing wordlessly with her eyes down to Donna's leg, waiting for the other woman to understand her intent, and then narrowing her eyes somewhat when it is ignored. It stops her from commenting on much. This is indeed Raven off balance, despite that she's sitting.

    "If it keeps Garfield out of any position of any form of authority in any way whatsoever, I will carry the mantle." she comments, taking another sip of coffee, before setting the mug down on the table near the couch. There's a small twitch when America speaks, and Raven is -very- clearly tallying these up for some sort of nebulous counter-aggression that she'll wait until she's in a better position for to unleash.

    "I think that's one of the new recruits. There are several." she notes, considering Terry for a moment, "You can do what you like, the only things that are mandatory are the communicator and training sessions."

Donna Troy has posed:
    "Though typically, the training sessions are not very formal," Donna adds. "When we have a lot of the team living in once place, it's quite common people will meet up in the training room by accident and just train together."

    Donna stretches slightly, straightens her back, and sits up. This has the purely coincidental effect of meaning she takes her leg from Raven's lap, and should not be construed as a sign that she is relenting from her revenge, is just too /nice/ to really win this kind of a contest of wills, or be considered in any way a sign of weakness that Raven should exploit in the future.

    "Being in a team is different," Donna continues as if nothing had happened, which of course it has not. "You're relying on other people, and they are relying on you. Teamwork is all important, because a team is greater than the sum of its parts. That's why we do have that focus on training."

America Chavez has posed:
"I can do that," Mac agrees, not sure whether she really can or not but seeing no harm in a little commitment here and there, "So, where do I get a communicator? Do you have one you can give me?"

She holds out a hand expectantly, as though it's just going to materialize and be handed to her there on the spot.

"Anyway, I know about teams. I've been in teams. I can work with people. I worked with a guy a few weeks ago beating the shit out of some shadow monster things. A duo is a team. I'm team material."

Rachel Roth has posed:
    Donna's surrender is recognized, and Raven will be merciful when she goes on the attack. It will be comforting, perhaps. She turns her attention from Donna, and remains silent while she lets Donna lay some more of it out for the newbie.

    "Well, we'll see about that- but so far, you've impressed Diana, which is more than enough of a sign that you're capable and ready. You do not have to have everthing down. Control, cooperation... We can teach those things, but you have to be willing to put in the effort. That's the hard part." Genuine in her words, Raven moves to stand- taking the possibility of returning that leg to where it was away from Donna.

    "I don't have one, but I'm sure Donna knows where they are."

Donna Troy has posed:
    Donna knew where they used to be. She's been away for three years, and she's still feeling a little uncertain about all things Titanic. However, as Raven said, Mac impressed Diana. In Donna's eyes that pretty much overrides any other concerns. Donna listens to her big sister, and trusts her implicitly. For that reason, Donna spent the morning rooting around the tower and trying to get herself back up to speed, including finding the T-com stash.

    "I do know where they are," Donna confirms with a smile as she tosses a small yellow cylinder with a T logo on one face. "Press your thumb to the reverse side and hold it there until it beeps, then you'll be on the system. This is kind of the light version which means it's not going to let you out at every floor of the tower, but you can get here, the gym, meeting rooms and roof. The roof is cool, and a lot easier way to get to here when you're a flier."

    Donna flashes Mac an apologetic grin. "I don't know what the protocol is for upgrading to the full one to be honest. I've kind of been away a while. Besides that's usually handled by one of the geeks. I'm not a computer person, I mostly just hit things."

    When Raven stands, Donna does too. Raven, with her empathic sense, can tell that Donna was just about to offer Raven support, because she's still worrying about Raven's physical condition. It may be somewhat charming, but it's undoubtedly a relief that Donna thinks twice about doing so and stretches instead. "So. C'mon America, let me show you around the tower. The embassy is gorgeous, but you'll love the facilities we have here. Time for the tour!"