12689/Another Pool Party

Another Pool Party
Date of Scene:	05 September 2022
Location:	Blake House
Synopsis:	Poolside fun and some soul baring.
Cast of Characters:	Thomas Blake, Gabby Kinney, Zinda Blake, Cain Marko, Michael Hannigan

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Thomas Blake has posed:
Thomas Blake comes out of the house holding a bowl of rice with a cell phone immersed. "That goddam crazy Hannigan had to be spontaneous the first time since I know him and dunk me when I had my phone in my pocket. I'm going to kill him... if I can catch him solid." The last is said to himself.

"Zinda, we drank all the Sam Adams. I got some really good Oktoberfest Beer a little early. You don't still hold a grudge do you? Oh, I got Latverian ale too. the fire pit is ready for burgers. Zinda?"

Gabby Kinney has posed:
An invite for a swim? Gabby had been meaning to partake of the pool while the weather was still warm enough to. And right now she was between missions. Which was good--She needed a break. Arriving on her motorcycle she parks it in the driveway and heads around the back hearing Thomas' voice out that way. "Hey, I heard something about a pool party?" Comes her greeting being called out before she rounds the corner.

She's still wearing clothes of course, come on, but beneath them? Swimsuit. She came prepared dangit. One of her old favorite t-shirts with the super-sized kitten laser eye blasting a beach is worn along with some shorts and her boots. She was riding a motorcycle after all. Boots were just safety. The small bag slung over her shoulder likely has a change of clothes in it.

Zinda Blake has posed:
Zinda Blake is still soaked to the skin, but at least she's out of the pool. Her sparring gloves and mouthguard are on a table, but the white wifebeater tee is pretty much transparent now. At least the bra is pretty white with a lot of lace. She has her boots off and has dumped the water out so they can dry. Those blonde locks are starting to curl even more than before, no doubt settling some fashion and styling questions that have plagued the nation since the '40s.

"Thomas, I think y'all can -start- me with an Oktoberfest six-pack." she grumbles. But for all her messing about, at least she -did- get the firepit going. Then she hears a motorcycle approach. Looking over, she gives a big grin and an even bigger wave to Gabby.

Thomas Blake has posed:
Thomas Blake raises an eyebrow at Zinda. Apparently some things he heard about the Southern Blakes were not exaggerations. he shrugs. Not like he's the modest type and Blake House is clothing optional. The bottles are set down. Gabby gets the usually hug lifting her off the ground because hey she can take it. Fairies are more delicate. He sets the Honey Badger down and goes to give his aunt an exaggeratedly proper peck on the cheek that turns into a full on tiger hug. He pats her cheek, "I'm glad we all found each other... even Cain, I think." He makes a grab to pull Gabby in the hug.

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Gabby Kinney drops her bag by a chair as she grins back to Zinda with a wave. "Hey Zinda! Thomas been treating you right?" Of course from the sounds of it, with booze involved, likely. Before she can ask more she's caught up in that big hug earning a laugh as she returns it with a firm squeeze of her own.

"Good to see you too Thomas. And yeah Cain's cool too. Always helped me out at least." The secondary hug earns another return hug along with a little look of amusement. "You feeling cuddly or what?"

Zinda Blake has posed:
Zinda Blake oofs as she's pulled into the hug as well, and she makes sure to press close so that everyone gets as wet as possible. She laughs at Gabby's question. "Course he ain't. But he'll get what's comin' to him, sooner or later." Zinda isn't shy about hugging either, apparently, and keeps her arms draped over the other two even when she can breathe again.

"So who's this Cain fella', anyway?" She looks to Thomas first, then Gabby. "He a good guy or is he more ... challenged... in his thinkin'?"

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Gabby Kinney wriggles out of the hug once it's over, if only so she can tug at the ends of her tshirt a bit. "Oh, Cain is a friend of mine I introduced Thomas to. He's..." Her hand lifts to give a little side to side wobble. "A bit like Thomas. Gun for hire. Or fists for hire. Bit of a temper, but calm enough if you're respectful to him. I'm used to dealing with hot tempers, what with my family," she explains with a broad grin as if this were the most normal thing ever.

"So! I did bring a swimsuit this time. S'cuz me." With that she unzips the sides of her boots (lace and ZIP heck yeah) to step out of them, then tugs down her shorts. The shirt goes next leaving her wearing the cute one peice with a faux shark bite out of the side revealing her stomach. "Been wanting to bust this out for awhile!"

Thomas Blake has posed:
Thomas Blake looks affronted. "I can cuddle... if you want to call it that. Two thirds of my favorite females here. I feel like cuddling them. But go suit up." He looks at Zinda and growls. He just got dry. "You oughta get dunked again... but finish your beer first. Tell me about the Blackhawks. There were a lot of shitty comics about them. I know they were shitty because they made you the damsel in distress. You didn't need rescuing since you were five I'm guessing and that was just making bail." He releases Gabby, keeps an arm around Zinda.

Zinda Blake has posed:
Zinda Blake laughs as the embrace unravels, and when Thomas threatens to toss her in again she points to him. "Not if y'all don't wanna get yer block knocked off. Caught me by surprise last time." She relaxes a little, then, when the topic changes to the Blackhawks. But she takes more than mild interest in Gabby's boots. "Laces AND zippers? Well ain't that fancy..." Then she spots Gabby's shark-bite suit and has to laugh out loud again.

"Sorry, but the shark thing is more serious than y'all know." Her expression softens and she looks from one to the other. "Blackhawk comics were meant to entertain, to raise morale. Like it or not, women had a 'place' back then, an' we stayed inside the lines. But out in th' field? We all had each other's backs. I saved a lotta' them boys, an' they returned th' favor."

Gabby Kinney has posed:
"Oh heck yeah. Laces to help them fit just right, zippers to get in and out quick. They're so great compared to my old combat boots." Of course she had those. Even if these were a bit more 'fashion forward' they were still functional and leather so protective in that aspect. "I can tell you where I got them if you want a pair."

The mention of the Blackhawks and the shark suit has her wiggle a bit to show off the suit. "It does? I just thought it was funny," she admits with a broad grin. "But yeah, I'd love to hear about the Blackhawks. Dad never likes talking about his time in the war."

Thomas Blake has posed:
Thomas Blake nods. "I get it. Comics haven't changed much, they portray everything in black and white. I was trying to tell Pixie, it isn't that way. Everyone has good and bad in them. People don't turn and around and say, "I will be evil today." He looks at the shark suit and smiles, then sees Zinda's expression.

"The Blackhawks... had an enemy named something Shark. He gave them a rough time," he says. He asks Zinda, "You want another hug? Or to spar? Or drink?"

Zinda Blake has posed:
Zinda Blake shakes her head slowly to Gabby. "Lotta vets still don't wanna talk. I spend as much time as I can visitin' some of th' homes, rememberin' names an' faces, spreadin' smiles around..." Her voice trails off and she sniffles a little.

Stepping up to Thomas without a word, she embraces him tightly.

"THIS is what we were fightin' for, though, th' next generation. Lunkheads, though they may be." she grins up at him, then. "Lotta fellas don't wanna share th' stories because they don't wanna share the pain, y'know?"

Zinda ruffles her still-damp curls, then. "You gonna get them beers or what? An' yeah, his name was King Shark. Gave me a rough time especially..." Her voice trails off and she gives Thomas a knowing look. Stories require beer, after all.

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Gabby Kinney does listen as Zinda explains about the vets. "Yeah, I get that. I try not to pry but at the same time, I kind of want to make sure those stories aren't forgotten. Plus..." She spreads her hands in a slight shrug. "Just trying to get to know him in general. He's kind of a loner."

She grins when Zinda explaisn the Killer Shark, and nods to Thomas as well. "Yeah, fair. He IS a bit of a lunkhead," she teases winking at Thomas to show she wasn't being too serious about it. "Still I am curious. I've met Cap and Bucky and wonder how dad works into it." She pauses only to add, "My dad's Wolverine. Logan. Back then they called him 'Lucky' though, if I remember right. James Howlett."

Thomas Blake has posed:
Thomas Blake pokes Gabby in the side."I'll lunkhead you."

"You know about our government and Mutants, right, Zinda? A lot of people hate them on sight. A lot of politicians feel saying they hate them will get them elected. Or they just hate what they don't understand. And some Mutants fuel the hate and hate humans. If that doesn't prove humans and Mutants are the same, nothing will. I don't have to tell you who else made a big deal of genetics. Anyway, let's try to keep this light... how would you feel about a trip to Blackhawk Island? If I promise to behave? I'll keep my hands in my pockets."

Zinda Blake has posed:
Zinda Blake is standing with Thomas and Gabby closer to the firepit than the pool. Gabby is showing off a suit with a big 'shark bite' out of one side, and Zinda's white t-shirt is completely soaked through to show her taste in white lace beneath. They're all talking about something with a somewhat serious tone.

Zinda chuckles, then. "Lucky Howlett is yer' dad? Yeah, I flew shuttle bus fer' th' Commandos. Cap would have no other pilots if I was available."

She looks to Thomas, then, with a small nod. "I been hearin' a lot about mutants in th' news these days. Seems t'me like they're plain ol' folk, just like the rest of us."

Gabby Kinney has posed:
"Yep, that's my dad," Gabby agrees with a bright grin that causes her cheeks to dimple, creasing the scars there in the process. She did have an awful lot of scars on her face. "The only reason he was so 'Lucky' is because he's a mutant," she admits. "Our family's got a healing factor," she explains to Zinda with a solemn nod. There was more to it than that but she opts not to go in-depth into the whole government mutant project thing that Logan got caught up in. "Well, also got enhanced senses. Hearing, smell, that sort of thing. Probably helped with not being ambushed."

Cain Marko has posed:
It's another day where Cain has nothing to do. So, he decided to show up at the Blake residence. Why not. This time he brought along some drinks. He hears chatter from the pool area when he walks up to the place, so he just walks around without any announcement. Spotting a trio waiting for him. Two of which he knows. He glances Zinda over curiously, a brow raising at the see-through top. Then he raises his huge hand towards the group. "Gabby. Tommy. Good to see you." The other hand is over his head. Resting on it is a pallet. And on the pallet is a number of kegs of beer with 'Guinness' on the sides. He makes his way over towards them, and sets the pallet down. Then he looks at Zinda again, and offers a hand. "Don't think we've met, darlin. Name's Cain." He gives her a smile. It doesn't really make him anymore handsome, but it's something.

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Also part of 'impromptu dip in the pool' crew is one Michael Hannigan. Although his clothes are wet, he apparently excused himself long enough to wring out the excess water from the outfit before returning. Note to self: clothes that wick away excess moisture sometimes act like paper towels. Pool dips are ill advised.

Having pulled back his damp hair and acquired the beer he was planning to get before Tom started trying to throw people in the pool, the musician heads over to the firepit where people have gathered. An appreciative glance is given over towards Zinda before he looks over to Gabby and Cain. "Hey guys." He lifts a bottle up in a mock toast to them. He then looks to Thomas. "Sorry about the phone again."

Thomas Blake has posed:
Thomas Blake punches Mike in the shoulder, only 40% power. He's pretty sure he had a tap inside but takes a moment to say, "Tis is my relative, Zinda Blake. Zinda, this is my good friend Cain," is his intoduction to the blue eyed beauty who's hair is curling from wet. "Excuse me and I'll get a tap for those kegs. Cain, you know Mike. Say high while he's dry." He pulls his tee shirt off and tosses it onto Zinda with a wink. Then he hurries into the house. Burgers, tap... some soft drinks for Gabby, in case she wants.

Zinda Blake has posed:
Zinda Blake gives Thomas a curious, brow-lifted look at the introduction. "Relative...? Well don't that sound antiseptic." Her voice is a bit loud, the Georgia accent quite thick. "Yeah, Zinda Blake. Nice to mee'cha, Mister Cain. I also go by Lady Blackhawk, but I don't usually sign posters." Yes, her War Posters are still collectors items.

"Anybody who calls me 'darlin' could always be an exception, however." She catches the tshirt that Thomas tosses to her, holding it up with a smirk. "Only about 2 sizes too big..." Still, she's a lady and pulls it on over those wet curls.

Cain Marko has posed:
Cain nods his head to Michael, peering down at the man. "'lo. I dunno what you mean by the phone thing." He bends down, and picks up one of the kegs of beer. Extending a pinkie, he casually pokes a hole in the metal. Then he seals his mouth over it to swallow several large gulps of what comes out. When he's had enough, he uses his thumb to cover the smallish hole and keep it from continuing to leak. "Zinda Blake. Hunh. That sounds familiar for some reason." His brows furrow briefly as he thinks. Hmm... nope. Drawing a blank. He does lean over towards Gabby, and ruffle the short girls hair. "Suit looks cute on you, kid." Then he looks at Zinda and grins. "Lack of a suit looks good on you too. Lady Blackhawk?" He blinks a few times. "Hell. I remember you now. Damn. You look even better for your age than I do."

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Gabby Kinney grins as the introductions are made and looks about to say something, but then she ends up getting hair ruffled by Cain. A little squawk comes from her as well as a joking pout while she smooths her hair out again. "Ah well, wasn't like it was fashionable anyway," she muses. A glance is cast toward the other kegs curiously. "Haven't tried that beer before. Hm." Maybe she would, even though Thomas was likely bringing her something non-alcoholic.

"Oh, yeah I think you both are pretty old aren't you? You're what, seventy or something, Cain?" Even as she asks she scoots past Mike toward the fire pit to poke at it with one of the pokers there. Kids, fire, it was always alluring. "I think they did a pool dunk while Thomas had his phone out or something."

Thomas Blake has posed:
Thomas Blake took a peek out the window. Did he find someone who'd stop the Juggernaut? Well Zinda is kind of an irresistible force herself. Heh /Would y'all please go with Mistah Shazam, Mistah Marko? Awww thank you, you're a lump a sugar!/ He clears that image from his brain. Hee. He sees Cain's keg fu and frowns a little.

Thomas comes out with a huge platter loaded with steaks, beer, soda, a tap and a pitcher. He hands Cain the pitcher. "Here drink out of a glass, there's ladies present." He starts throwing steaks on the fire pit, ths leading to several roars from the tiger. He takes three steaks and tosses them in the pit.

"Have some manners, I got guests! Geeze."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Dry is a relative term at the Blake residence. The musician is still considerably damp from his last dunk in the pool. Mike's face scrunches to the punch as he's been starting to feel the built up effects of the punches from earlier. Thomas's punch didn't do much to dull the sensations from earlier.
    he musician looks back over to Cain as he mentions the phone comment. Gabby provides a bit of an answer to which he nods. "I guess Tom failed to mention that he started throwing people in the pool first. And considering how he's been egging me on all day about fighting back you'd think he'd have seen that coming."

Zinda Blake has posed:
Zinda Blake looks around from one to the other, casually hiking the borrowed tshirt up around her waist and tying the hem with a loose knot. "I swear, if one more of you kids calls me 'old' again..." she offers, with a laugh. Then she is elbowing her way closer to the keg to help with the tapping and pour off the first one. "For y'alls information, I'm really only about 30 or so. Jus' did a lil' time skip right after th' War."

She looks Cain up and down, then. "You are quite the healthy fella, ain'cha?" Zinda leans in a little. "I'll getcha' a real nice poster an' even sign it, iffin' y'all want. I even signed a few biceps back in th' day, but that's been a long time ago."

Cain Marko has posed:
Cain squints at Gabby a little. "Ninety-one this year, actually." Yeah. He really doesn't look it. But that's pretty par for the course in the superhuman community. Look at Gabby's dad. Then he sighs at Thomas's request. "Sure. Fine." He does suck on the hole for a bit more to lower it a certain amount. Then he fills the pitcher before flipping the keg over and settling it down. Then he looks consideringly at Zinda. "Time stuff? That shit is annoying. Guess it worked out for all of us though." He winks at the blonde pilot. "Hmm. I'd be glad to get a poster, sure. We can discuss the bicep signing another time." He sips at the pitcher. "So you're related to kittyboy over here then?" He notes Thomas hasn't tried to throw HIM in the pool.

Thomas Blake has posed:
Thomas Blake suddenly brightens at the fire pit. "Hey... you guys want to help two folks down on their luck. Tigress is in a wheelchair and broke but I'm pretty sure someone like Nelson and Murdock or Jennifer Walters can get her human release. Captain Cold may be paralyzed and had medical bills. A hero threw him into an armored car stopping a robbery. I want to go to The Club and pass the hat for them. I'll start the ball rolling. A performance and a signed poster might get us a lot more funds... as would Cain passing the hat. Also... I stole one of Music master's hats." He looks a little guilty at that.

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Gabby Kinney steps aside to allow Thomas to load up the grill. Even Rasputin's roar at the smell of meat earns a grin. "Yes you have guests, make sure the murder cat is fed, thanks." Of course she'd dealt with Rasputin enough not to be really worried about him but no one really wanted a hungry tiger around.

The talk of ages gets a little shrug from her apologetically along with a sheepish grin. "Well to be fair, the life expectancy of my family outside of being murdered is pretty high so... Heck my older sister is seventy-seven and she looks about your age, Zinda." When Cain informs of his actual age it's her turn to give him a once-over. "Damn. Okay you are looking good for your age then."

She pauses a long moment then leans in closer to Thomas to whisper, "I think they're flirting." But the change of topic has her frowning. "Threw him at an armored truck? Isn't he just a normal guy?"

Zinda Blake has posed:
Zinda Blake fills a mug of the dark stuff for herself, reaching out to playfully poke Cain's bicep. "Lookin' REAL good for yer age, I'd say." she offers, taking a deep drink. "I'm sure we ken' arrange a -private- signin'. Once my boots dry out." She shoots Thomas a glare, then.

"An' what he's too shy to tell y'all is that he's my *nephew*, technically speakin'. On th' Blake side, along with a whole buncha' scrappers, aviators, an' bootleggers." She shrugs, then.

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Mike looks over to Zinda, then Cain, looks to Gabby, and then to Thomas. "Well." Mike comments, "Don't we all look good for our respective ages?"

He takes a moment to sip his beer, listening in on Thomas's suggestion while Cain turns up the charm with Zinda. Or is it the other way around?

"Tigress..." Mike repeats, "Is this the same one as-" He frowns, thinking back to another encounter.

Cain Marko has posed:
Cain tilts his head as he looks at Thomas, considering the request. "Mmm. That so. That's rough." He's never been the sort of person to... y'know. Care about other people that much. He has a weak spot for kids in trouble and that's about it. But, he has been making some efforts to be a better person. Time will show how long that lasts. So finally he shrugs, "Yeah, sure. Could do that with you." He swirls his beer in his pitcher, then smiles at Zinda. "Why thanks there darlin. Nice of famous pin-up pilot Lady Blackhawk to say something like that. If the me back during the war had been told that he'd prolly have burst into flames."

Thomas Blake has posed:
Thomas Blake brings some quick to cook sliders over. He leans on Cain's shoulder and says, "I have a hose you know, big man. No one is safe."

He pours himself a Guinness, looking at Gabby to see if she wanted to try it. "Uhm, Zinda, you have quite the backstory. I didn't want to spill it all. I figured let you decide. You're my only living relative and I'm proud to have you... also sorry I ate all the food you brought. You are a fantastic cook, so that is partly your fault."

"That is great Cain. What do you say Mike, a couple songs at the Market, maybe a signed poster... hey we can sell show merchandise... I have a... few things." Yes. Two guest rooms full.

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Gabby Kinney reaches out with grabby hands for the drink. She makes little pinchy fingers jokingly but does nod as she accepts the Guiness from Thomas. Sure she was young--A fact that gets Mike a shrug while she takes a big gulp of the beer. Which results in an odd facial expression from her as she parses the dark beers' flavor along with the consistancy. "That... that is thick. Huh." Already she's contemplating the contents of the mug thoughtfully.

"Arty's sister, isn't it? Tigress? Or am I thinking of another one. I dunno, too many cat names to keep up with. I'm the only badger, I'm good with that."

Zinda Blake has posed:
Zinda Blake lingers near Cain while she drinks, enjoying the conversation with a contemporary. "Honey, we all did things back then what needed t'be done. I killed over a hundred German pilots who, if I'd met 'em at a bar, we would've gotten along jus' fine. War is war, an' people do the job..." Her voice trails off a little and she takes a longer, deeper swig of the Guiness.

Spotting Gabby, then, she points. "Easy on that stuff, honey. Got as many calories as a cheesburger, an' it'll knock you on yer' pretty little behind if you ain't careful."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
If Gabby's expecting a look of disapproval for the drinking, she ends up disappointed. Instead that look is being directed towards Thomas as the elder man evaded his question. "Is this Tigress associated with the one in the park? The one that shot at you for no fucking reason?"

Cain Marko has posed:
Cain looks at Thomas. "And I can toss you into orbit." He doesn't sound serious about it though. He doesn't seem to mind the beautiful blonde hanging around him, and looks at her consideringly. He eventually slides a thick arm around her and gathers her in against his side. "Suppose so. Not that I was old enough for anything like that then." Her words to Gabby make his lips twitch, and he says to her, "You'd be surprised there I think. She's a lot more durable than she looks." He glances at Michael. "They might have had a reason. Like, they'd met him before."

Gabby Kinney has posed:
"I figure if a woman is attacking Thomas there's generally a reason--" Gabby begins only to snap-point to Cain when he seems to think the same. She's amused by Zinda's concern though. In fact she grins brightly and takes another gulp. "Challenge accepted."

Tiny as she was she manages to tip the mug back gulping the rest of the contents down in three full gulps. A little gasp for air comes after, and she holds the mug back out to Thomas with a tap of her finger to the side. "Top me up!" She requests.

Thomas Blake has posed:
Thomas Blake shrugs. "I can't keep her goddam kids straight. Anyway Paula... taught me enough that I didn't get killed my first few times as Catman. Anyway... the one calling herself Tigress... I'm going to repay the favor. And I'm getting her mother sprung. And when I find the guy who put her in the wheel chair... I'll repay the favor."

He sees the look Zinda gives Gabby, "Hey don't worry about her, Zinda. She has a superhuman liver."

Thomas scoffs at Cain, "You could not. Sub orbital tops. I'd probably hit 'n Paris. Anyway you kill me, nobody will talk to you for at least a week. And this kid met me for the first time and gave me a lovely cut as gift the second time. She's a dumbass. Like to get herself killed. If she tries that crap with Bane or that gray skinned woman..."

"I'm busy, sweetie, help yourself, learn to work a tap. You're a Howlett, it'll do you good. then come here and I'll show you the art of grilling. A sharp nose comes in very handy."

Zinda Blake has posed:
Zinda Blake grunts softly as Cain pulls her close, but she settles in quite comfortably. Even raises one hand up to rest on his shoulder, the other holding her drink. More listening for the moment, she laughs in Gabby's direction. "Oh right! Yer Lucky Howlett's daughter. Now THAT man could really hold his liquor."

And it says something if Zinda is impressed. "I once drunk a whole squadron of German pilots under th' table before stealin' a '109 and escapin'. But Lucky could drink the lot of us under the table, me included."

Cain Marko has posed:
Cain smirks over at Thomas. "Now you make me want to prove. I guess I won't though. Gabby seems to like you for some reason." He gives a careful squeeze to the waist of the blonde pressed against him. He finishes his pitcher of beer then sets it aside. It's not like he can get drunk anyway. He absently runs some fingers through the woman's curls. He seems awfully comfortable doing all that considering he just met her! "I don't do drinkin contests myself. No point to it." He watches Gabby preparing to throw down. Or tilt up, in this case. "So Gabs. Y'got yourself a lil boyfriend yet? Or girlfriend, if that's your thing."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Mike considers Thomas for a few moments. Ok so it's not the same tigress. "...So different Tigress. And Captain Cold?"

Thomas Blake has posed:
Thomas Blake looks up from the grill and Gabby. "The original Tigress. Not her loopy kid. If she is her kid. I'm going to pay her a visit in the pen and talk with her. She's... someone put her in a wheelchair. Paula was a true super criminal, never hurt an innocent, never did more than scuffle with the good guys. She never deserved that. She showed restraint. First two steaks are done. Medium." He gives one to Zinda and one to Gabby, setting them nearby."

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Gabby Kinney sticks her tongue out at Thomas though she does turn to work the tap to get herself a refill. She's not great at the whole 'tilt the mug' thing and ends up with a rather heavy top of foam but she shrugs, and seems satisfied with that. "Honestly more curious to see if it can get me tipsy at all," she admits to the others with a grin. "I'll probably grab a soda after this though. I like sweeter drinks. Like rootbeer."

The question from Cain just gets an indifferent shrug and shake of her head. "Oh man, let's not get into that. I apparently have 'Lucky's luck with relationships, too. None." She does laugh about it though as she moves over to regard the steaks on the grill again. "Last guy I was crushing on ended up with my older sister. Kinda awkward." Moreso now that they had broken up. The steaks are accepted with a nod. "That's pretty shitty then yeah."

Zinda Blake has posed:
Zinda Blake certainly seems comfortable with Cain as well, and even gives a little laugh when he runs fingers through her wet curls. "Hey, go easy on Gabby, now. She's a good kid." she offers in a lower voice to Cain. Zinda gives Cain's muscular shoulder a firm squeeze in response.

She looks a little nostalgic, then. "Yeah, Lucky was anything -but- when it came to the ladies. Poor fella. Hope that's changed some, but I somehow ain't surprised if it don't."

Cain Marko has posed:
Cain eyes Gabby. "I hope not... he might not be any good at keeping a relationship, but from what I hear, he does have a lot of... luck." Which is to say her dad is kind of a slut. He nods down to Zinda. "Yeah, she is. Real friendly too." They wouldn't know each other if they didn't run into one another on the street, and the little badger just randomly asking him to get something to eat. His big hand slides down on Zinda, resting on one hip. Well. It's a big hand. So it might overlap certain other things. "So when're we doing this fundraising thing then, Tommy boy?"

Michael Hannigan has posed:
As the topic drifts off to other topics, Mike mentally starts drifting off as well. Staring at the fire.

Zinda Blake has posed:
Zinda Blake gives a slow shimmy against Cain, and doesn't seem to mind at all how big his hand is against her... hip. Her body gives a little twist and she chuckles, taking another drink. She could be half sitting in that hand, now.

"Yeah, Tommy boy." she quips back, echoing the question. "An' just what am I signin' again?" She reaches down to pat Cain's bicep. "After the obvious, first."

Thomas Blake has posed:
Thomas Blake's eyes narrow a little. "Your sister didn't make a friend of me with going out fir coffee with while she was with this guy, then laughing it off to you and calling it a not date and then... She did the whole 'Mutants are the next step in human evolution.' Sorry Gabby but that sounds a lot like a 'Master race.' So yeah, not a fan. C'mere sweetie, let me show you. He demonstrates the proper pouring of a Guinness, which Gabby also receives. Then he goes back to the steaks, looking affronted at the memories.

"I'll get back to you soon, Cain. Pix wants to come to protect me... from myself. I'll let you know too, Mike. If you can do a quick song it'd be great. Maybe sign some merch. Maybe... a Lady Blackhawk poster for auction?"

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Gabby Kinney winces a little bit at the topic of conversation. Her hands wrap around the mug of Guiness to take another sip along with a quiet mutter that may have been 'please get me drunk.' Clearing her throat she nods solemnly. "Yeah I said 'relationships' specifically for a reason, Cain. Dad has a rep. We went to Pride together this year, apparently he's bi." Ah the things she didn't need to know. "Apparently been dating Hercules off and on for years or something."

Thomas' remarks about the date gone bad earn a cringe from her in response. "I honestly didn't know she was gonna be like that, I swear. She's never talked like that around me before. It was total cringe."

Oh but there's another beer poured correctly for her as a distraction. She only wobbles a little bit on her feet while reaching for it.

Cain Marko has posed:
Cain supports the weight of the beautiful blonde in his hand with, naturally, no sign of strain at all. He continues to run his fingers through her hair, not that it needs straightening. He gives Gabby a look. "Huh. Is that so. Never knew that about him." The things you learn. He keeps an eye on Gabby as she continues to down the beers. It's not like Guinness is strong or anything. Still, she doesn't seem very experienced in drinking. He's ready to catch her if she seems like she's going to topple over. "Family sucks." He has one living relative, sort of. They're not close. He bends down, and lightly kisses Zinda atop the head.

Zinda Blake has posed:
Zinda Blake settles more fully onto Cain's big hand, too, the blonde even crossing one bare foot over the other to let her feet leave the ground. Lashes lower a bit and she makes a low sound when Cain kisses the top of her head. Still, one hand steadies herself by holding onto his shoulder and she drinks deeply from her glass.

"Cain. Honey. Mind gettin' me a refill?" She offers the mug and shows no inclination towards leaving her seat. "With -that- hand, sugah." Yes, the OTHER one.

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Mike blinks as his name is called. His head turns, looking back towards Thomas, "Yeah...Sure. Been needing a reason to go through my set lists again." Tilting his head back, he finishes his current bottle and turns to get another one.

Cain Marko has posed:
Cain lifts the woman higher off the ground so she's above the other people there. He smirks at her. "Sure thing, darlin." He takes the mug from her and moves over to the keg, handing it to Thomas. "You heard the lady." He grins at Catman. Assuming it's filled for him, he'll hand it back to Zinda. "There you go." It's kind of an odd sight. A grown woman sitting in an overgrown mans palm like that. To be fair, his hand IS big enough to make a decent seat. He pats her lightly on the head.

Thomas Blake has posed:
Thomas Blake brings the rest of the steaks, spreading them around. Cain gets three put n easy reach of his other hand. He fills the mug with a grin and also rolls a keg nearer. As he passes the big guy he grins. He brings a couple steaks to Mike.

"The Music Master would go over well at the Market... I have a costume... the one you liked that they shelved. No hat for you. We do have one for passing."

He sees Gabby going wobbly and sits down patting his lap for her to sit. "C'mere Gabrielle, you need a couple minutes to sober up... or not. You been through a lot." Thomas very rarely offers Gabby such affection but she needs it right now.

"Nothing scheduled, right Mike? Guest room is still open if you need it. Got two more... just saying."

Gabby Kinney has posed:
"Yeah, Mike, you should do a gig," Gabby agrees while she's busy sucking down more of the Guiness. The fact that she'd gotten to the part of feeling kind of fuzzy was the most she's gotten drunk before and dangit she was going to enjoy it while her liver allowed it. At least, thick as this drink was, she could handle drinking it quickly. Whiskey while stronger was still pretty hard to gulp down.

"Myeh," is the eloquent response she gives to Thomas at the suggestion. She does move over to plonk down on his lap though, leaning back against him like he were so much of a chair.

"I'm not drunk. Ish. Maybe?" She risks a smile before letting it slip and just looking tired though. Comfortably tired. "... Been a long few weeks," she agrees with a solemn nod of agreement. Reaching out she plucks up her fork to stab her steak a time or two.

Zinda Blake has posed:
Zinda Blake lets out a squeal as she is suddenly lifted higher, still trying to keep that one hand clenching Cain's shoulder for balance. She shifts a little in her seat... his hand... but manages to keep her ankles crossed all the same.

She's a lady, after all.

"Oh Mercy!" the blonde cries out, laughing as the refill is handed to her. She drinks deeply, and the Guiness must already be getting to the flushing blonde. (right...) Licking the foam from her lips, she gives Cain a bright-eyed look and one of her trademark smiles.

Cain Marko has posed:
Finding a place to sit near his own steaks, Cain continues to hold Zinda. He winks at her again, leaning into kiss her cheek. "Yer cute when you're tipsy, you know that?" Then he picks up a fork, and begins to dig in. He doesn't need a knife to slice through the meat, bringing a large chunk to his mouth and starting to chew. Resting Zinda on one thigh, while keeping his hand where it is. He glances over at Gabby, and says, "How you handling your booze there, kid?" He's not particularly worried of course.

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Mike's departure for beer is delayed as he looks over to Thomas and the offered steaks. Plural. "Thanks." He replies, looking to the plate, "Who gets the second steak?"

The musician glances up at the mention of the costume he liked. "The one that made functional sense?" He queries. The side of his lip quirks up in amusement. "Could do a bit where you snatch the hat off to start the passing it around." Might piss off a certain jackass producer if he found out." Oooh man the amount of pushback on the hats.

Hearing Gabby, Mike looks over to her. "A gig it'll be. Market's been pretty welcoming before. And Wade's been very good about freeing up my schedule recently. Quitting the show made it even freer so we should have room to work with." Mike frowns slightly as he observes Gabby. Hmm. He's got a bad feeling about this.

Thomas Blake has posed:
Thomas Blake says, "Listen to the Beer Badger, Mike." He gives Gabby 's hair a swat/stroke, makes sure his beer is where she can find it too.

"You need some attention Miss Gabrielle. You, Pixie, and Mike had a couple weeks of hell, literally. Mike has Wade to look after him and me. Pixie has me. You just run yourself ragged. That regenerating doesn't help you mind or your heart. Both of yours were kicked around. You know you can stop saving the world, and crash here whenever you want, and you always got a shoulder to rest on." He head nuzzles Gabby while she eats.

Thomas looks at Mike and says, "Pix was like this when you freed her from that elder god... I got her toasted and spoiled her a little. Much better." He gives Gabby another nuzzle.

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Gabby Kinney flashse as reassuring a grin as she can toward Cain regarding her soberness. "I'm fine. Been this much before at least. Give me like five minutes and I'm back to normal." For now though? For now she had a steak. And Thomas was nuzzling her hair and she looked so very sleepy.

"I can handle it. We took back the tower from like... eleven of them the other night. There's eleven of them." Of who? What elder gods? She stops talking long enough to chew on her steak slowly.

"I got out a bit yesterday. Went exploring that abandoned nuclear power plant up North."

Cain Marko has posed:
Cain slides his hand out from under Zinda now to take the knife, after absently licking some juice from his fingers. "Mmm. Pretty tasty." He smiles down at Zinda, then cuts off another chunk of meat. It's obvious why Thomas gave him three. He's already mostly done with the first one. Well, he IS on the large size. He looks over towards Thomas and Gabby, and frowns. "Wait, what's this about a literal hell?" Nobody had told him about whatever that all is. Then he frowns even deeper. "A what?" That doesn't sound like something she should be doing, healing factor or not.

Zinda Blake has posed:
Zinda Blake sits on Cain's lap, still shifting a little as he settles. She starts in on her steak, leaning casually and comfortably against Cain. Zinda chuckles a little with the way Cain eats, taking the time to cut her steak more properly.

From the look on her face the steak is delicious, and she even makes the right sounds for it. "Mmmm, this is great, Thomas. Not that I'm surprised. We Blakes know a good cut of meat when we see one."

Cain gets a look, then, as he takes the hand out from under her. And also an elbow to the ribs. It would be a sharp jab to most anyone else, but she doubts he'd even feel it. At least now she can settle in and enjoy the steak and beer a little more.

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Mike looks to Gabby, shaking his head. "I think we only had to contend with one of them that time. But, maybe there's a boundary thing going on with that. I'm not all that sure on the particulars...There's way too much stuff to keep track of..."

The musician looks over to Gabby. "The thing with Pixie was before the tower. One of the gaps from when they joined together would have been what got taken from her."

Mike looks to Cain apologetically, "More a figurative Hell. A lot of places seem to like to call themselves that."

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Gabby Kinney reaches up to rub a hand over her face letting her fingers sink in to the little divots just beneath her eyes. If she had them open she'd be pulling quite a face. For the moment her eyes are shut though as she breathes deeply. Finally the hand drops away, eyes opening again as she focuses. "Okay, long story short. During that whole Angel invasion of New York that happened, apparently some Old Gods from another dimension tried to wiggle their way through. They attached to my sister Rien, and have been slowly branching out to other members of our team trying to get us to be conduits for them or work for them. Through nightmares and using our weaknesses against us."

"Had two come after me. One offering to let me watch the world burn, the other offering to let me fight for eternity in an endless war. Told them both to fuck off." A fact punctuated by a bit more steak being speared and chewed. "Mmf. One tried taking over Pixie too. I just got..." She shrugs indifferently. "Just got tortured a bit over it. I heal."

"And it wasn't a plant that had a meltdown, just they decomissioned it. I brought those little radiation tags with me."

Cain Marko has posed:
Cain makes a token grunt when Zinda elbows him. He's a gentleman after all... okay, not really. But he can pretend sometimes. He's focused still on Gabby. His frown deepening as he listens. "Gabby..." Old Gods trying to get into her head? "You need to tell me about these things, girls. I dunno how I could help, but I want to." He reaches over the table, and lightly flicks her nose. "So keep me in the loop from now on, you hear me?" He continues to eat, but slowly. Glancing at the flush-faced Zinda in his lap. "Hmm. Hey Zinda, you feeling a nap right now? I could escort you to your room." Which amazingly isn't him trying to suggest they go off alone and do other things! He actually means it.

Zinda Blake has posed:
Zinda Blake looks over at Cain with a small smile, working through her steak. She seems less flushed right now, although perhaps even a little subdued. "Easy now, big fella. I'm a lady now, after all." she quips back.

"But I ain't gonna be rude an' refuse such a sweet offer, neither." With that, she even pauses to turn her head and kiss lightly under his big chin.

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Mike opts not to add further to the explanation or bring up his own encounter. Instead he seats himself down with the steaks on his plate. And as Tom has not stated who the second one belongs to, he looks over to Cain. "Hey, do you want one of these steaks when you get back? I seem to have gotten two."

Cain Marko has posed:
Cain nods down to Zdina, and gives her hip a little pat. "Finish up and I'll walk you." He eats faster, and the remaining steaks disappear at an alarming rate. Soon enough they're gone and he's sitting back. "I might not need to eat, but can't beat a good steak."

Thomas Blake has posed:
Thomas Blake looks at Zinda's flushed face and says, "Behave you two." Small wink. Blakes will do what Blakes will do. Anmyway, Cain is too smart to mess up the best thing he'll ever have sitting in his hand. "Zinda, you can grab more of my clothes and I'll throw your stuff in a dryer. You'll sleep better."

"Yes Mike, I gave you two. Eat up or give it to Rasputin."

"Yeah, I'll tell you what those old gods hate: love, friendship, making the person know how special they are. That weakens them and heals the person. I'm assuming you know this, Gabrielle?" he reaches over to give Mike's shoulder a swat.