1458/A Motherly Meeting, Part One

A Motherly Meeting, Part One
Date of Scene:	30 April 2020
Location:	Gotham University Faculty Club
Synopsis:	Brunch with Roberto's mother, and Stephanie is given an idea of what to expect with his father.
Cast of Characters:	Roberto da Costa, Stephanie Brown

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Roberto da Costa has posed:
Roberto parked his Maseratti out front of Gotham U's Faculty Club, which was a mix of a private social and health club with recreation of all types on offer and a stellar restaurant that served a wonderful Sunday brunch, which is what brought Roberto here just before ten, dressed in a suit and tie, with Steph riding in the passenger seat beside him.

Parked, Roberto leans over to Steph and kisses her cheek. "Ready?" he asks, nodding to a parked silver BMW as he pulls back from the kiss. "She's here. So, it's game time."

Stephanie Brown has posed:
Stephanie Brown came wearing a sundress with a light jacket overtop of it. There is only the faintest dusting of makeup, so gently applied as to be barely noticeable. The blond girl also wears the necklace that Roberto gave her, the golden compass with small diamonds on the cardinal directions.

Her nervous energy has been apparent since Roberto picked her up. Twirling a strand of her hair as she watches the streets of Gotham pass on the drive to the University, down from her home in Bristol. She's never really been a hair twirler that he's observed before.

The kiss brings a smile from Stephanie as she turns to Roberto. "Game time," she repeats, swallowing down a little lump of nervousness. "I hope she likes me," she tells the Brazilian teen, and reaching over to touch his face softly. Her expression suggests how important it is to her that Roberto's family likes her. Especially his mother. "Ok. Let's do it," she says with a little flash of blue eyes and a hopeful smile.

Once they are both out of the car, she'll reach her hand over for Roberto's. Wanting to lace fingers with him. Using that feeling of his presence like a touchstone to help her center as they head into the reasonably fancy faculty dining room.

Roberto da Costa has posed:
Roberto had definitely noticed the nervousness and had decided not to mention that meeting Nina da Costa was the easy part, the real challenge would come later, his father, Emmanuel da Costa.

He knits his fingers with hers as they walk up the stairs to the door and he lifts Steph's hand to kiss the back of it.

Once inside the dining room indeed was reasonably fancy, giving a view of the campus gardens through floor to ceiling windows and dotted with tables with crisp white linens,.

(OOC: Visual - https://legacies.alumni.ubc.ca/files/2019/12/IMG_20191204_0002.jpg)

Waiting at one of those tables is the woman Steph saw briefly through the car window that one time, Dr. Nina da Costa, a woman who's aged gracefully into her fifiies, with dark hair, dark eyes and patrician features and bearing that spoke of coming from old families and old money. Though when she sees the pair, she smiles, standing to greet them as Roberto takes Stephanie over to meet her. "Berto," she smiles, "And you must be Strephanie, Berto has told me so much about you," she says, "Please take a seat I'm looking forward to knowing you better."

Stephanie Brown has posed:
A smile for Roberto is earned by the kiss to Stephanie's hand. She takes a deep breath and then walks in with him, and over to meet his mother. "Doctor da Costa, really nice to meet you as well," Stephanie says, giving the woman a soft, warm smile of greeting. "Thank you," she says of the offer to take a seat with her, and if Roberto moves to get her chair, he'll get a smile of gratitude as well as Stephanie sits.

She looks around the Faculty Club and then turns back to Roberto's mother to say, "It's really beautiful in here. Campus itself is just gorgeous to walk through, especially this time of year now that everything is back to green and blooming," she says.

"How long have you been a professor here?" Stephanie asks as a waiter comes around to fill their water glasses. "In the archeology department, right?"

Roberto da Costa has posed:
"Please, Stephanie, call me Nina," Nina says with a smile. "And I've just arrived this last February, I had been wanting to teach here for some time but I had-" she gives a look to Roberto, "Family obligations that kept me in Brazil."

By which she means her husband, but now that she was divorced, she was free. "And yes, archeology, particularly focused on the study of South American cultures."

Roberto for his part keeps his mouth shut on that subject chiming in instead with, "Steph's thinking of coming here in the fall."

Nina nods, "You mentioned, Berto." Her dark eyes, the same shade of dark, dark brown as Roberto fix on Stephanie. "What are you thinking of studying?" she asks.

Stephanie Brown has posed:
Stephanie nods in agreement and tells her, "Alright, Nina then," as she's invited to use her first name. Stephanie listens quietly then as Nina mentions her work and its focus. When asked about her own aspirations, Stephanie says, "I haven't really narrowed down a major yet. I have had a few ideas, everything from accounting to maybe veterinary medicine. I think I probably need to get some exposure to things before I can really make up my mind though," she says.

Stephanie takes a sip of her water, the fingers of her other hand going to the compass necklace without realizing it. She tends to touch it a fair amount anyway, but the topic so close to the meaning behind it no doubt has something to do with touching it at that moment. "So was it the study of South American cultures that took you down to Brazil in the first place?" she asks. She gives a smile to Roberto, "If so, you realize you'd owe your existence to academic pursuits, right?" she says, a bit of a normal Steph grin coming out.

Stephanie looks back to Nina and asks, "Do you spend much time out in the field, or primarily doing a teaching position at present?"

Roberto da Costa has posed:
Nina nods, waving to the waiter to bring the menus, "I was the same way when I went here, my freshman and junior years I had no clue what I wanted to do, I had started out in business because that's what my father wanted, but ended up taking a course in archeology in junior year as a breadth requirement and fell in love," she says. "If you want my advice, Stephanie, try a little of everything and see what speaks to you. The advantage of your situation as opposed to Roberto's is you can pick and choose where your life goes."

"Thanks mom," Roberto grumbles good naturedly.

"De nada," Nina offers back wry smile, one that widens at Stephanie's teasing of Roberto. "You know I hadn't thought of it that way, but yes, that's what brought me to Brazil in the first place, my mother's family was from Rio originally and knew some of Roberto's father's friends and the rest is history, as they say."

"I tried to spend as much time as I could in the field while I was in South America, but at a certain age, sleeping on the dirt or in cots gets a bit stale and you start to pine for the comforts of a cushy teaching job," she offers with a smile. "Which is one of the reasons I took the job here."

Stephanie Brown has posed:
Stephanie Brown takes the menu from the waiter, glancing it over to be ready to order, though most of her attention is on Roberto and Nina and the conversation. The high school senior gives a quick nod of her head. "I'm hoping to take a lot of different classes early on and see what really appeals to me. I've applied here, and been accepted at Coventry Community College. If I can't make it in here at first, I'll start there and try to transfer later," Stephanie says.

The grumble from Roberto gets a playful grin from Stephanie. "You sure you don't want to open a veterinary practice with me then?" Stephanie offers to him in a light-hearted tone.

Stephanie glances up as the waiter comes around to take orders. When its her turn she orders an alfredo pasta dish with sun-dried tomatoes, grilled mushrooms and a few other tasty inclusions. She passes the menu back then looks back to the da Costas. "Either way I'll probably start out commuting at first. Looking around for a part time job to help cover things. Maybe find something I can get an apartment nearer to campus, whichever it is."

Roberto da Costa has posed:
"His father would throw a fit," Nina says with a smile at the idea of Roberto giving up his birthright to tend to sick animals. "And I don't think Roberto could live without a black card."

"Mom!" Roberto protests even as he laughs. "I mean you're not wrong." He turns to Steph then. "Don't worry," he stage whispers. "I'll just have to fund your clinic."

Nina watches the two of them then drinking from her water glass.

Setting down the glass she remarks, "You should enjoy your first couple of years, though community college is definitely cheaper but it doesn't really offer the college experience that Gotham University does, I'd never trade my time here for anything. And I can't speak highly enough of living on or near campus either. It provides a chance to get out on your own."

Roberto nods, "Yeah, living at Xavier's has been great for that. Though it definitely doesn't have an Animal House or first college apartment vibe like you'd get here."

Stephanie Brown has posed:
Stephanie gives Roberto back a soft grin, though not one that seems to take him funding such a place seriously. The warmth is there in Stephanie's eyes though whenever she looks to the woman's son. That much will be easy enough for Nina to note as she watches the pair.

Stephanie looks back to Nina, nodding about the advice to live near campus. "I figure it would get me much more involved than if I'm commuting up to Bristol all the time," she agrees. Though she laughs at the mention of Animal House. "Yes, like I'd fit into that environment," she says with a soft chuckle.

Stephanie glances back to Nina to say, "Actually went to a Greek open house thing they had on campus for incoming high school seniors. I don't know that I'd be a good fit with them. Not that it was like the movie, but..." Stephanie trails off, managing to filter her self-effacing comment that is trying to percolate up to the top. "It all felt a little formal to me, if that makes sense."

Roberto da Costa has posed:
Whether Nina notices it or not, she doesn't comment, she just peruses the menu and says, "I'm going to have the florentine omelette," giving Roberto a look when he makes a face.

"Yay spinach," he says, with a grin. "Ham and cheese omelette for me," he says.

As for living near campus, Nina nods, "Yes, much more fun and more practical too, as for Greek life, it has it's place, great for networking, but not so good for focusing on your studies depending on where you end up," she says.

Stephanie Brown has posed:
Stephanie Brown rests her hands in her lap and smiles softly at the expressions exchanged between mother and son. The young woman takes a sip of her water as she looks at the resemblance between them. "You mentioned your family knowing that of Roberto's father. Are they both large families? And, any other family members in the States, or everyone else in Brazil still?" Stephanie inquires.

She looks over towards Roberto and gives him a soft smile. "It's been really nice, the time we've spent since we met. Tough to get together sometimes with living so far apart, but the HyperLoop really helps there," she says.

Stephanie reaches into the pocket of her jacket and pulls out a pair of small envelopes. She offers one to Nina and one to Roberto. "If you happened to be free to make it up to Widowstone, end of May," Stephanie says of her subdivision in Bristol, "I'm having a graduation party. I'd be happy if you could make it, Nina. And my Mom wanted me to pass along her invitation as well, she'd like a chance to meet you as well," she offers.

Roberto da Costa has posed:
Indeed the two look a lot alike and even without seeing his father, it's clear who Roberto's looks favour. She nods, "Oh yes, my parents met in America and there are branches of both families up here, but the da Costas are mostly down in Brazil except for Bea of course, who is everywhere," meaning Roberto's super-model second cousin.

"Yeah, it's a big help, don't think I could drive the whole way as often as I'd want to get down here, by the way, any chance of me getting a 'Gotham car' for when I'm down here?" he asks his mom with a grin.

"Ha, Only if you buy it," Nina replies.

The invites are met with a raised eyebrow from Nina as she takes it in her hand and nods. "I can certainly stop by I think," she says looking to Roberto. "I can drop him off since he doesn't have a 'Gotham car' yet," she needles lightly before opening the invite.

For his part Roberto, leans over and kisses Steph's cheek, "You bet I'll be there," he says even before opening the invite.

Stephanie Brown has posed:
Stephanie grins softly as Roberto's mother turns him down on the car. Not that she doesn't want him to get one. But after being a bit wowed several times by Roberto's family resources, there's a pleasing normalcy to hearing the son ask his mother for something and having her turn him down due to the cost.

She shines a smile over to both Roberto and Nina. "Great, would love to have you both there," she says. As they open the invites they'll probably note what Stephanie starts to tell them. "Just having it at the volleyball courts at the apartment complex," she says. "Cookout and everything, and some awnings set up and hope it doesn't rain. My mom's getting one of the orderlies she works with to do a pig roast, so there should be more than enough to eat. Those things are humongous. We went to his house for the 4th of July about two years back for one," Stephanie shares.

Stephanie smiles over to Roberto and asks, "Are you doing very much for your graduation? I still have to get up there and see your school, too." She's been to Salem Center the one time, but not out to the school itself.

Roberto da Costa has posed:
If there was a normalizing influence on Roberto's life besides his friends at Xavier's it was his mother, who despite coming from money had a degree of practicality lacked by his father.

"Okay I was going to come anyhow but if I was wavering you sold me on pig roast," Roberto says. Nina too nods, "Sounds like quite a party, I will be happy to come by. So your mother is a doctor then?" she asks. Picking up on the mention of the orderly.

"There's the ceremony," he makes face and is swatted with a menu for it by his mother who tells him.

"You're going."

"Then a mixer thing at the school, then, Mr. Worthington is hosting a thing at his place in New York. I'd have to check about visitors to the school, but you could definitely come to the party in New York."

Nina chimes in with an explanation, "Xavier's really puts the private in private school, they can be particular about security."

Stephanie Brown has posed:
Stephanie gives a warm laugh at Roberto's gusto upon hearing there would be a pig roast. "Will be glad to have you," she says softly, in a tone that carries some of what she feels for him in it. Stephanie looks back to Roberto's mother and gives a quick little shake of her head. "Not a doctor. She's a nurse, currently working in the cardiology unit," Stephanie explains. "A lot of overnight shifts unfortunately, so we have to kind of make time to get together," she says.

The girl looks between Roberto and his mother as they talk about the Xavier's commencement. "I'd love to go to the party. Still need to meet some more of your friends," she tells him. Stephanie looks to Nina as she comments, "Though I did get to meet one of his teachers. Roberto hadn't told me he had anyone famous as an instructor," Stephanie says. "Let alone one of the Avengers. Wow. I bet everyone in his classes are well-behaved!"

Roberto da Costa has posed:
"We'd be glad to make an appearance," says Nina before asking. "Should we bring anything?" she asks before nodding about Stephanie's mother's profession eyes cutting to Roberto with a hint of concern. She can just tell what her ex-husband was going to say about Roberto dating the daughter of a nurse! Still, she doesn't say anything only smiles and says sincerely, "That must be a very difficult job, you should be proud of her."

"Then we'll go, I'll let you know when and where when Mr. Worthington puts out the word." There's a 'heh' of amusement at the class being well-behaved. "We've gotten used to having an Avenger in the class room, we treat him like any of the other staff." Which was true but at the same time most of the staff were heroes in their own right.

Nina chimes in, "Believe me the school hired him for his brain, not his avenging abilities. Xavier's is lucky to have him, a man with that many degrees could take his pick of Ivy League schools to teach at, Gotham U included but apparently he's happy to work for his alma mater."

Stephanie Brown has posed:
Stephanie replies to Nina, "Oh, just bring yourself. Everything else should be taken care of," the blond says with a quick smile. She gives a nod with a small, soft smile. "Yes, Mom has.... well, she's been through a lot. And being a nurse in Gotham isn't the easiest thing. She worked the ER for several years, so, even worse over that stretch," Stephanie says, and forcing herself to keep a brighter expression on her face than her memories of those years would normally yield.

As Nina fills in more on Doctor McCoy, Stephanie looks impressed. "Wow, so he went to the same school? That's always great when people want to establish that kind of tradition and legacy," Stephanie says.

The food arrives, the aroma from the trio of dishes tantalizing and letting them know even before tasting it that the University doesn't skimp on the chef for the staff facility. "Oh, wow, I think I just realized how hungry I am," Stephanie says with a soft, warm laugh. Her fingers go to her necklace, idly playing with the compass pendant without realizing it. "Is this where you lunch most of the time?" she asks Nina.

Roberto da Costa has posed:
Nina and Roberto nod, but by the looks they give each other it's likely they'll bring more than themselves, just out of a sense of obligation and because they can. "Yes, I suppose that being any sort of medical professional in Gotham is particularly dangerous, I hope she hasn't run into any of the local sort of trouble?" she asks.

Roberto shoots Steph a quick look as if to say he didn't talk to his mom about Steph's dad. Wasn't his story to tell. He does offer, "I dunno, I mean how many people really run into these guys? There's millions of people in Gotham and only a handful of badguys in costume. I've been here a bunch of times and I haven't even seen the moth guy or the guy that dresses like ketchup."

Roberto nods about Beast. "Yeah, he was in the first class at the school before he left to go to college for awhile but he came back and has been doing the science classes ever since, he's great though, one of those teachers who are so into what they're teaching it's hard not to be drawn into it."

Roberto and Nina both get their omlettes and Nina nods, "Most days, it's part of the benefits package given to full professors being able to eat here and use the facilities. Though this is so far from my classrooms that I mostly just bring something to eat in my office."

Stephanie Brown has posed:
Stephanie starts slowly on her food, considering only a brief moment how to respond to the question from Nina. "Well, there's always fallout from those kind of situations. And being a nurse, there's definitely going to be some impact," she says, her tone just a little more subdued than normal, as if not giving a more complete answer weighs on Stephanie even if she doesn't divulge everything in this first meeting with Roberto's mother.

Her eyes go over to Roberto and there's a small smile for him. "Can't say there isn't some creativity in Gotham, at least," she says with a wry grin before the conversation moves on to the dining facilities.

"I really enjoy the campus. I'm hoping I'll be able to get in here," Stephanie says, glancing outside the windows at the well-manicured lawn. It being a nice and sunny day, the green imagery is probably different than so many people think of when they think of Gotham.

Stephanie's eyes swing back to Roberto. "By the way, there's a park near our place. Frequently a pick up soccer game there. I mentioned to someone I was dating a Brazilian who loves soccer and they said I should bring you by to play sometime. Though I think they'll be expecting... what's his name? Ronaldo? Ronaldinho?"

Roberto da Costa has posed:
After the first bite of her omelette, Nina nods to Stephanie, "I can imagine," she says spotting Stephanie's turn of mood she quickly changes the subject, "By the way that is a lovely necklace Stephanie, where did you get it?"

Roberto, grins a little but lets Steph tell that tale rather than speaking up, clearly pleased though as he takes a bit of his omelette as he waits.

"I hope you get in here too, Stephanie, and if you do, please don't be a stranger, if you need any advice or just want to have lunch where we can talk about Roberto behind his back-"

Roberto makes a face.

"-Please stop in and say hello. I insist."

As for the park, Nina says, "Ronaldo," she clarifies with a smile before saying, "And they might not be too far off, Berto was one of the best in his school before he came to America. Still a shame Xavier's doesn't have a team."

Roberto grins, "Still best in my school even without a team, and how well do you like this someone you talked to? If they're a good friend I won't beat them too badly."

Stephanie Brown has posed:
Stephanie's eyes light up at the offer to have lunch and talk about Roberto. "Oh, I'm so there," she says with a big grin for Roberto's mother, that she then casts over in a playful way at Roberto himself.

Stephanie realizes she'd been fiddling with the necklace. Her smile grows into something a bit more personal and warm. "Actually it was a present from Roberto," Stephanie tells Nina. "He knew I was spending a lot of time thinking about what I might like to major in, and he got it for me. To help me find my way," she says, moving her hand so Nina can see the compass better, though Stephanie's eyes are looking towards the son and shining a big smile at him.

She lets out a warm laugh at the mention of her soccer playing friend, "Oh, he's competitive, he'd want you to bring your best. Older guy, works at the bakery down the street where we shop a lot," Stephanie explains. "I'll have to take you over sometimes. It can be anything from kids to adults depending on the time of day," she tells him. "A couple of fields there."

Stephanie takes a bite of her food before asking, "I don't think I ever did ask, do you play any sports at Xavier's?" she asks Roberto.

Roberto da Costa has posed:
Rolling his eyes Roberto says, "Oy, I knew this was a bad idea getting you two in the same room." Though really his protests have a note of laughter to them.

Nina listens to Stephanie's story and when it's finished she looks over and raises her eyebrows at her son, "That is a very touching gift Roberto," she tells him.

"Must have learned that from you," Roberto counters with a shrug. "And it seemed the thing to do, she did give me this," he says fishing the Saint Florian medal out from under his shirt. "For my birthday."

Nina leans closer to study the medal and the saint stamped into its metal surface. "Florian. Firefighters isn't it?"

"Yeah," Roberto says smiling over at Steph. "I told her if I didn't have to run da Costa someday I'd like to be a firefighter, you know, a hero," he says, knowing his mom would understand more of the meaning of that. She may not know the X-Men work out of the school but she does know her son has powers and roughly what they can do. He would as it turns out make an excellent fireman if he didn't have his eyes on being a member of the X-Men.

Nina nods, "Very nice," she says to Stephanie. "Exchanging jewelry though, must be serious, hmm?" she asks the pair.

Roberto, coughs a little. "Yeah, that'd be safe to say, right?" he asks Stephanie. The sports business will hold for a little bit it seems.

Stephanie Brown has posed:
Stephanie was all smiles as they'd talked about Roberto's gift to her. When Nina asks about the saint pendant that was Stephanie's gift, she's a little more humble about it. "I just thought it might be a nice reminder to him at times," Stephanie says softly. "It wasn't anything big," she says with a somewhat self-deprecating shrug.

Stephanie is taking a sip of her water when Nina asks if things must be getting serious between them. She just avoids the water going down the wrong pipe, thankfully only requiring a small throat clear that doesn't draw too much attention to it. She looks over towards Roberto as Nina's question forays into areas they haven't really delved into themselves in conversation, looking to see Roberto's reaction.

His response draws up a soft smile out of Stephanie, her eyes meeting Roberto's and holding there for a few seconds. "I... guess maybe so, yes," she agrees. Stephanie's eyes reveal much of what she feels as they look over to the Brazilian teen. After a few seconds, she looks back to Nina, Stephanie hoping to gauge the woman's reaction to this bit of insight into her son's relationship with the girl from Gotham.

Roberto da Costa has posed:
Nina might be a bad person to play poker with, she's damn hard to read, as she listens to Roberto and Steph talk about their relationship together. She hmms, and then takes a sip from her water glass seemingly gathering her thoughts.

"How much has Roberto told you about his father?" she asks Stephanie once the glass is set down. "You seem to be a lovely woman, but I'll put it out their plainly, my ex-husband is a terribly classist and I am afraid you're not at all what he's looking for when it comes to a woman to be serious with his son."

"Mom," Roberto protests before Nina holds up a hand to stop him and carries on through.

"I don't say this to be a snob, but to warn you what you're in for since it's clear Roberto hasn't. He will not like this, and he will dig into every bit of your life to discover all he can about you. He's done it before. Now, I don't say this to scare you off, I am hardly one to tell a woman what she can and cannot do, and Roberto, while he's my son, is a grown man and has to pick his own battles now, but I wanted to make sure you knew what you were in for, Stephanie so you can make your own choices with your eyes open."

Stephanie Brown has posed:
Stephanie sits quietly, listening, and when Roberto tries to interject she just glances over, but again lets Nina continue without interrupting. When she's done, the high school senior's head gives a tiny little side to side bob as if it isn't completely new information for her. "Roberto has given me a bit of an idea of it, yes," Stephanie says quietly. "I have been expecting he's not going to like me much at all, if I'm just, fully honest about it," she says, looking down at her plate for a moment, then up and over to Roberto.

Stephanie clears her throat a little bit. "And the more he looks the more he'll probably find things he doesn't like," she says quietly. The girl's fork stirs slightly at her food, just shifting it about on her plate without eating it. "And probably the more he looks the more he won't like," she says, eyes dropping back to her plate. "The... thing, we mentioned Gotham's... underworld. My father's in prison. He was one of those villains. Not a good one. He's been absent most of my life with his stints in jail," Stephanie says. She lifts her eyes to Roberto. The lack of any kind of guilt in the girl's look would probably make it clear to Nina that Roberto was already aware of this.

Stephanie's eyes move over to Nina finally. "I didn't come into this with any notions of where it might go. I just... I like Roberto. A lot. This has been something special to me. He's something special. And... well, even if I'm completely lacking in anything his father will appreciate... I'm also stubborn as any mule in the hemisphere," she says.

Roberto da Costa has posed:
Nina lets out a long breath at the news about Stephanie's father, but doesn't comment until she's heard the rest of what Stephanie has to say. "The news about your father is surprising, and please forgive my earlier comments about the villains here, I didn't know. But you're right, Emmanuel will not like it. Though to be honest, he is just a more successful villian in a different kind of suit. Anyhow it sounds like you've made your choice, so, I do wish you the very best in this, Stephanie, it will not be an easy time for you, but I hope you are able to weather it."

She turns to Roberto then, "And I hope you are going to do what you can to protect her. Your father won't listen to me, not anymore, but you are his only son, so, I hope you know what you are getting yourself into and what your responsibilities are in this business."

Roberto nods, "Yeah, I know, I'm working on it already," he says, he was a planner when he wanted to be. "Anyhow, yeah, Steph and I," he glances over at the blonde Gothamite, "Just sort of happened, we like each other, and we're going to see where things go on our terms, and I'll do what I can to make sure dad understands that."

Nina nods, a degree of doubt for her former husband in that simple gesture. "Anyhow," Roberto continues, "I'm on it, we'll work things out."

Stephanie Brown has posed:
The food on Stephanie's plate continues to be shifted about more than eaten as the conversation continues in this direction. As Nina compares Roberto's father to her own father in terms of villainous deeds, it brings a wry, humorless grin from Stephanie. "A far more successful one if so," she says with a tiny shake of her head, and an expression that reveals plenty about her feelings about her father.

Stephanie glances over to Roberto as Nina talks to Roberto about what will come. Her expression is considering as maybe it becomes apparent to her just how much Roberto may end up having to deal with because of her. It doesn't seem to make her feel any better about the situation, from that expression.

She finally puts her fork to its normal use, getting a bite of food and bringing it to her mouth. "I do want to thank you for being as welcoming as you have," Stephanie says to Nina. "I admit to having been a bit nervous. I don't imagine I can ever get the approval of Roberto's father. So I guess I've been a bit... extra worried about today, hoping I could at least leave a good impression on someone for him."

Roberto da Costa has posed:
Roberto for his part isn't eating either, he offers one of his idle hands to Steph though under on top of the table in a show of support. If she takes it he squeezes it. "Like I said, we'll figure things out." He sounds calm, focused.

As for Nina, she says, "I like what I see and would like to learn more about you Stephanie, so, you really do need to take me up on that lunch," she reaches into her purse and produces a business card which she hands to Stephanie. Once she has, she says, "Now, shall we put thoughts of Emmanuel behind us and focus on our breakfast and happier topics?"

Stephanie Brown has posed:
The girl's hand slips into Roberto's as he reaches over under the table. Taking hold and squeezing softly, and when her eyes move over to Roberto there's both warmth and gratitude waiting to be seen when he looks to her.

Stephanie sets down her fork to take the card with the other hand. "Thank you. I'd really enjoy that, Nina," she says to Roberto's mother. "Yes, other topics. Looking forward to getting to meet some of Roberto's friends. He showed me around Salem Center one day. It's a really nice area. I can see why you'd like to going school there. A lot of nice country outside of the town from the looks of it," she says.

Stephanie take her fork back up to take another bite. "Where did you go to school, Nina, if you don't mind me asking?"