12965/Port to the Stars

Port to the Stars
Date of Scene:	04 October 2022
Location:	Central Gardens - Atlantic Starport
Synopsis:	Namora and Arthur run into each other at the Starport. Fun ensues.
Cast of Characters:	Arthur Curry, Namora, Yondu Udonta

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Arthur Curry has posed:
    It's picturesque here in its own way.
    The Starport had a beauty that came with its modern profile. The stream-lined look of the future with its advanced technology and the comings and goings of vessels. It seemed otherworldly in some ways, like something directed by Lucas in one of those large sweeping shots that took in the lay of the land.
    Yet it was our Earth, our ocean, and the sky above was filled with the same clouds mankind had looked upon over the thousands of years it had dwelled here. Still, if one simply looked at the tableau and turned their mind off it could almost be anything with how you framed your thoughts.
    Which was what Arthur was doing as he sat on the utility dock of the grand wonder of the world. One leg dangling in the water, his back against a metal pylon and a beer in his hand, Arthur Curry found himself sitting there as construction teams came and left. Off in the distance was Namor's newer construction as it was built some ways away. Yet large enough to be seen and with a hint of something... ominous to it.
    At least it felt that way to him. Still. He could be wrong. Doubted it though.
    He sipped his beer.

Namora has posed:
A trail of footprints like high-arched exclamation marks - a point of water behind each rapidly drying print, follow the tall woman walking down the dock toward Arthur. She is Viking tall, nearly six feet and blonde. Gloriously blonde, a thousand shades of gold, amber and wheat enlivening her hair, falling to the middle of her back. Namora wears what looks like a swimsuit but is impenetrable armor, black and very low cut and nothing else besides the fillet of golden shells that holds her long hair back from her face.

The woman seems to know the man she pads toward in silence without any effort to hide her approach. Her haughty face hiding most of her feelings about sighting him here. The blue eyes neutral for the moment.

"Hail Arthur!" the greeting only half-sardonic. "I see you found the bar."

Arthur Curry has posed:
    "I'll have you know this is home-brewed." Arthur says without looking in the direction that voice comes. It sounds... familiar in a way, but not resoundingly so. Yet they clearly knew him, and there was a cheekiness to that tone of voice. Which has him, almost begrudgingly, turning his head to the side as he cocks an eyebrow to look up.
    And up and up.
    Lips part, "Oh." He says audibly, though likely a thought that escaped his mind and vocalized so. Then he adds, "Namor's..." He lifts the bottle and gestures at her with it. "Siiiister? Cousin?"
    Then his eyes narrow a little as if remembering some small facet about her. "Grandma?" Since he remembers something about World War II...

Namora has posed:
"Pish, don't be insulting lad. Great-grandmother if you like. Cousin by marriage to Namor." The woman waves a graceful hand, smooth and satin skinned as a twenty-year-old's. You can't facelift hands and they are a dead giveaway to someone's age.

There is nothing girlish in the wry curl of her smile as she looks down on him, but nothing gives away her age if not the wisdom that her deep blue eyes hold.

"Now, that we have established how little you know of the royal family. You may call me Namora."

Arthur Curry has posed:
    "Ah, Namora." Then there's a small twist to Arthur's features as he then murmurs, "And Namorita is the college gal." Which has him looking out toward the distance as he considers the waves... and Namor's Death Star. Though really it's not that big.
    "Your family is not very creative when it comes to names." He offers, then gestures with a nod, "Have a seat." The glass of the bottle in his hand clinks as he sets it down to gesture that she should. "Beer?"
    And as he says that he leeeeeans forward over the edge of that metal and wood dock, pulling up what looks to be a canvas or knit mesh sack that clinks with more glass and a set of five other beers, one of which he procures by sliding it out of the bag that had been underwater keeping the chill rather well.
    "I don't have a can opener with me." He declares, though if that's so how'd he get his open? The cad. He sets the bottle down for her.

Namora has posed:
"It's a nickname if you must know. Aquaria Nautica Neptunia seemed a bit of a mouthful for the sweet babe that I was, and my father didn't want anything Icelandic," she replies with an amused quirk. "Namorita is my child and in college on the surface. Yes." She turns toward the east and the mainland with a thoughtful look.

Namora eyes the beer and nearly smiles as she reaches a hand down to accept it. "Not a problem." Beer in hand, she walks to the edge of the dock to sit next to Arthur in a single easy movement, then leans to the side to uncap the beer on the wooden edge like an old pro.

Arthur Curry has posed:
    "Aquaria Nautica Neptunia." Arthur says, repeating the words to himself as he maintains eye contact. Just a steady nod as he watches and listens. Then his eyebrows rise a little as his head tilts to the side as he murmurs, "Very Eskimo."
    For some reason.
    Then he lifts his chin, "I met your daughter some time ago. Good kid, snarky."
    A pause, then he murmurs, "Though now I imagine I can see where it came from." His lip twists up a little as she takes her beer and uncaps it. He takes that moment to drink some of his own and then gestures with a nod toward Namor's Battle Platform of Death.
    "What're your thoughts on your cousin's latest bit of weirdness?"

Namora has posed:
"Very provocateur," she replies and tips the bottle up to take a long swig of the beer.

"Yes, she has my intelligence..." internally finishing the sentence with 'but not my sense" and a sideways glance at Arthur, her chin raised in challenge and the hope that she had not tangled with Curry except verbally.

She follows his gesture out to the ongoing construction inaugurated by their current Emperor. Involuntarily, she takes a quick deep breath and brushes a wet tendril of hair clinging to her shoulder back.

"My thoughts are that we must protect the treasures of our ocean. And, I take it that you don't agree with it?"

Arthur Curry has posed:
    "Mmmhmm." Is Arthur's first answer to Namora's comment about needing to protect the treasures of the ocean even as he looks across the way toward the construction of the Sub-Mariner's latest flight of fancy. He then sloooowly pushes himself to his feet, knees crackling slightly as he rises and rolls a shoulder.
    "Jury's still out on it," He finally offers regarding his outlook about the current king's efforts. He eyes Namora askance and murmurs, "I bet when he was a kid he was the kinda kid that would make up some elaborate game and then get cheesed off when people would play it without him."
    Another swig of beer as he ponders that, then adds, "Just a thought."
    That said he leans down to scoop up the web sack that floats in the water with the beers, keeping them chilled and cool. He lifts it up and clear, letting it hang from one hand as he turns to start walking toward the main concourse area. Not exactly at a rapid clip, giving that slight hint of body language that he's fine if she walks along with.

Namora has posed:
Namora tuts,"Self-elected as judge and jury. One wouldn't expect you to appreciate Namor's efforts to protect the ocean in this manner." Her spine stiffens at Arthur's little barb concerning toys, but she doesn't deign to answer it.

When he gets up with the rest of the beer without a by-your-leave, she mutters, "Self-centered prig," uncaring whether he hears it or not.

Eyes narrowed, she gazes out at Namor's work in progress for a moment, then pulls a leg up and rises as graceful out of water as she is in her element. Taking her time, she catches up with him, curious to see the interior of the Starport.

Arthur Curry has posed:
    Hovering, Arthur tilts his head sidelong and smirks a little before he adds. "Everyone judges, it's our nature." The half-breed royal starts to walk backwards as he smiles to himself, that half-grin growing a bit more at the casual barb offered his way.
    Then when she catches up to him he turns back around to continue his stroll, slinging that four pack of beer now over his shoulder, the netting letting him handle it easily enough. "Like, say some noble parents name their child... just for argument's sake, something kind of silly. Like..."
    He gestures openly ahead of them, "Water McWater O'Waterstein, and then spend the rest of their lives trying to make sure all the other kids don't spend their time snickering behind the back of that kid? I mean that has to be hard for a kid to grow up under. A big burden."
    He nods his head, "I can judge those parents for that act, even though I'm just some beach hobo."

Namora has posed:
"Yes, but some do it better than others," Namora replies, breezily, pushing back a lock of rapidly drying hair. They are a study in contrasts, his burly brusqueness, next to her more refined manner, befitting a member of the royal family.

Looking at him sidelong, "It sounds as though you speak from experience. Was it hard being a child on the surface? Much bullying?" she asks, her voice unctuous, laughter snapping in her brilliant blue eyes.

Yondu Udonta has posed:
The interior of the Starport is where the majority of people are wandering about. Security is visible but not overbearing in their presence. The people are mostly Terran at this point as the Starport is still working toward being 100% in working order, though it obviously was open and doing business.

The smaller percentage of people are aliens. Though most of those are humanoid in appearance at least. And in a world of mutants, it wasn't as strange to see an alien who didn't look just like everyone else. Though a lot of humans had only seem mutants on TV, not in person. So some looks might happen.

"Of course I ain't got weapons!" The voice was a bit overly loud as he stepped out of the check-in area, looking at the bustle of activity. Then he glanced back to his first mate, Kraglin, who was at his side. "What do they think I am? Some kind o'criminal?" His smile was huge, showing off his uneven teeth. They were dressed in their Ravager leathers, the long coats framing them well as they considered their next course. "Oh look! They got shops! You go over that way. I'll go this way. Meet back at the ship in two hours. Hopefully they'll have it but if not, we'll move on to phase two."

And with that, the pair parted, Yondu moving further into the bustling crowd, heading the opposite of his first mate.

Arthur Curry has posed:
    "Hey, pay attention, I was making fun of you. Not me." Which clearly makes it all the better of a joke when he has to explain it. Though his smirk is wry, he looks away as he strolls along. "But a little bit, when I was a lil sprog of a kid. When I got my growth spurt folks hushed up."
    He walks along past a few crowds of travelers and visitors, likely getting the side-eye from a security guard or two since well... having alcohol out awhile in public isn't exactly approved in some places. But the Starport is new enough that they'll likely have to look it up if it's legal or not.
    Which might be a lovely bit of coincidence as the sec guards glance over right at the moment when Yondu is giving them the business and likely gives them a small window of an opportunity. Sure Yondu hasn't seen a ton of different earthers, but those two walking in his general direction look like they know what they're about. Even though one of them seems very scruffy and the other is entirely too pretty.

Namora has posed:
One shoulder lifts dismissively at his explanation for who was the butt of his lame quip. Namora has mastered the art of walking into a crowded room, barefoot, clothed in a revealing swimsuit albeit top-class armor, as though she had a crown on her head, accepting the homage of her admiring public. The wings at her ankles have stopped dripping. She catches a passing human doing a double take as their eyes sweep the length of her legs. She lifts her chin a degree higher.

Loud voices nearby alert her to possible problems. One never knows in a volatile mix of humans and off-worlders. She stays by Arthur's side moving synchronously with him - two fish swimming in tandem.

Yondu Udonta has posed:
That was a human doing the gawking, not Yondu. Although that's not entirely true. Yondu certainly had looked but he was a gentleman when necessary. Easier to draw someone in with charm than being some ogling lowlife. Throw in she had some really tall Terran with her and Yondu wasn't here to start a fight.

Didn't mean he couldn't talk to them. "Hi!" He gave a smile, albeit one without teeth showing quite as much as when he'd been joking with his henchman. "I'm new 'around these parts." Because the blue skin, unusual clothing and red cybernetic dorsal fin on his head wasn't a clue. "Only my second time to Terra. Earth? Whatever you wanna call it," he said dismissively. "Wonderin' if you might have some ideas of where to start? Save me some time so I can get back to earnin' credits instead of spendin' 'em."

Arthur Curry has posed:
    Strolling along it's the greeting that grabs Arthur's attention. The tall terran turns and levels that golden-eyed gaze on the presumed traveler. He glances toward Namora just a brief look as if to see if she recognizes the fellow. Whatever her expression he likely judges that it doesn't seem she does for he turns back.
    "Hey, man." An easy-going greeting by the man in the jeans and black t-shirt, his boots trailing water after him as he walks. "Earth works." He says, answering the man's first question.
    "Where to start?" He asks and glances again at Namora before answering, "Depends on your business. You just wanna grab some souvenirs and get on your way the gift shop is thattaway." As he says that he gestures with a nod in the direction of that said thing.

Namora has posed:
The fin has Namora's attention. She is quite used to blue skin, her gleaming Nordic complexion being the exception under the sea. Atlantean's pity her behind her back for her pale beauty.

A look is exchanged with Arthur and she shakes her head minutely, denying any knowledge of the man. Though she has spent what amounts to years on the surface, she pretends ignorance for the moment, letting Arthur use his bonhomie on him. It allows her to study the dorsal on his head surreptitiously.

When Arthur glances at her again, she tilts her head to one side, "An amusement park on the Atlantic coast. I'm not sure there is much to do here." A quick scan of the nearby shops backs her opinion up. "Eat? Buy souvenirs? Is there a bar, do you know?"

Yondu Udonta has posed:
"Well, lookin' for a couple of specific things. First is a picture. Wait, that ain't right."

Yondu pauses a moment as he considers the words. It translaters to picture using the universal translator but Quill pronounced it some other way. "Pose-Ter? Big picture y'hang on a wall?"

Hopefully that got it across. "Of this gorgeous gal." He gave a quick apologetic smile over to Namora. "Though I'm doubting she is anywhere close to you in looks, if you'll pardon me sayin' so." Then he continued, glancing to Arthur again. "Anyway, she's really purty and has hair like you. Only bigger." He puts his hands to either side of his head, a good foot away on each side to indicate just how big.

Arthur Curry has posed:
    "A poster?" Arthur says as he looks at the guy, head turning to the side and his brow knitting. Again he looks toward Namora as if she might hold the answers since she's clearly so much more worldly than him considering she's old. Then he looks back.
    "So like rolled up into a tube, picture of some pretty lady? Well you can get that... lots of places I imagine. Though depends on who." His chin lifts as he considers, scritching a fingertip along his jaw as he ponders. "Though these days you just log onto the internet and order one from Amazon." Which has no association with Themyscira.

Namora has posed:
Namora's nose wrinkles as she repeats the words, "Pose-ter?" The accent on the second syllable tripping her up for a moment. Arthur clarifies it.

"Ooooh. Like a pin-up?" little caring how it dates her to the 20th century. "They might have posters from different countries or a picture of the whole earth from space."

Shaking her head, "I doubt they would have posters of beautiful women with big hair," she manages polite skepticism, then shoots Arthur a dubious look when he mentions Amazon. "You'd need to go to the coast. I am sure there are poster shops with that kind of picture at the amusement parks."

Yondu Udonta has posed:
"Thank ya. I appreciate your help. I'll head to the coast instead and pick see what I can find. According to what I was told, she's the prettiest gal on this planet. Which tells me Quill is full of shi--stuff." He remembered there was a lady present! "Cause ain't no way they are prettier than you, ma'am." He gives a nod to Namora. "Would that be to the east or west from here?"

Then glances back to Arthur again. "Oh! And almost forgot. Where might I find David Hasselhoff?"

Arthur Curry has posed:
    When Yondu says his bit about Namora being the prettiest gal on this planet, Arthur follows along with him. One hand rests on his hip while the other still holds those beers as he says, "Well, to be fair, there are a few."
    Prettier that is.
    But then his grin widens a little as he takes a step to the side away from Namora, likely imagining the woman might have the temper of her cousin/brother/sister's roommate... whichever.
    "Uh the Hoff?" He asks then, eyebrows widening with a touch of incredulity. "That's kind of amazing the man's fame reaches into outer space. But usually you can see him in Germany I think. Or Vegas. He does some singing down thattaway."
    He spares a look at Namora and then waves a hand in her direction, dismissing the possibility that she knows David Hasselhoff.

Namora has posed:
"Hassel-who?" Of course, Arthur would know who it is. She doesn't demure at the compliments, ignoring the land lout when he nearly avows there are prettier. He receives a point for his smart move out of range.

"I think you might enjoy the coast. It's west of here. The eastern shoreline of the continent to the west of us. Try a state called New Jersey," though she has a penchant for a part of the shore further south, still in the colder waters, the Gulf stream having veered off near the Carolinas.

"There is a lot to do. Try a hot dog while you are there," she suggests magnanimously.

Yondu Udonta has posed:
That universal translator did something very wrong with hot-dog. But Ravagers had eaten worse. "Hot dog. In New Jersey. Got it."

Then another nod over to Arthur. "Germany or Vegas. Alright."

He gave them both another big, craggly toothed smile. "Quill's gonna have the best birthday ever this year! Though I gotta keep the Hoff," Yondu paused, looking to Arthur for verification he got it right before continuing. "Under wraps until then. Should be easy enough. Thanks y'all!"

Arthur Curry has posed:
    "Alright man, Good luck." Arthur says as he lifts a hand to offer a wave to the guy, "Don't be a stranger." And at that he gives a small shrug toward Namora as if not entirely sure what to say, but seeming at ease with what just transpired.

Namora has posed:
"Yes, good luck. Enjoy the amusement park!" She scowls back at Arthur and shrugs a shoulder back at him.