16108/Another Day in Titan's Tower

Another Day in Titan's Tower
Date of Scene:	18 October 2023
Location:	Main Room - Titan's Tower
Synopsis:	Jon and Damian wanted to play a game. But it needed an update, so they have dinner and guests!
Cast of Characters:	Damian Wayne, Jon Kent, Caitlin Fairchild, Yaretzi Acama

---

Damian Wayne has posed:
For the longest time, Damian would only come to the Tower dressed in full costume kit, with mask and utility belt and cape and the whole kitbash. These days, it's a comfortable t-shirt, jeans and high-end shoes, though he still wears sunglasses to hide his green eyes.

He's currently rooting around in the kitchen looking for ingredients and trying to remember everything he needs. See, the problem here is that someone bought a whole bushel of corn from home and Damian has no idea what to do with it all, so he's already husked and washed some of it and has it cooking in a pot.

"I need cumin, besan, some garam masala... oh, an onion, chilis, mint, tumeric and red chili powder." he comments, grabbing the spices off the rack and then heading over to the fridge to root around for the vegetables.

Hopefully, he'll have the first batch done before people start to arrive, a brush by the cast iron skillet to check the temperature of the oil.

Jon Kent has posed:
    "Hotdogs, hamburgers, maybe some riiiii---" Jon states as he comes into the tower kitchen, his eyesbrows rising up behind his glasses, his hat on as he looks at Damian and then finishes with 'iice...?" he finishes his question with a wince, looking to Damian as he's gotten things ready.

    "Ah -- I'm guessing that's *not* for corn on the cob then?" he questions with a bright smile as he sets a canvas bag down on the counter, and sniffs the air.

    "Are you making curry? Masala?" Jon pauses. He's in a normal button down and sweater and jeans ripped at the knees, taking his glasses off as he leans back on one foot.

    "It smells good!" he adds positively.

Damian Wayne has posed:
"Masala and corn padokas, with a mint chutney, because someone just gave me so much corn to work with!" Damian grouses, though there's no real bite to it. "You want hamburgers, hot dogs and all that, you should talk to Wally, that's his wheelhouse. I have more finese." A lift his head, a slight snobbishness to it.

"Want to set up the game, Cornfed?" he asks as he works on slicing down the onions and then turns his attention to processing the corn into a more cream like state. "I'll let you pick so you don't claim I cheated by playing it first." His smile is wry, before his attention turns to making patties to fry.

A passing of the dough back and forth in his hands and then into the hot oil to start frying. "How was your visit home? Everyone well?" he asks curiously. "I dropped in on Mother today."

Jon Kent has posed:
    "Yeah, Gramma says to say hi and remind you that you're welcome to come out for a weekend if you need some sunshine." Jon replies as he gives a bright smile. "Or if you wanna shuck more corn." he grins at that as he dashes over to the gaming systems in a blink of an eye, and begins to set up controllers, cartriges and the system, and then his brain catches up. He blinks those big blue eyes of his.

    "You... dropped by on your mother? I mean... that's good you're talking to her...?" he asks in a question, eyebrows rising up as the bridge of his nose wrinkles.

    "Also, what's a padoka?"

Damian Wayne has posed:
"Pakoda. You're distracting." Damian grumbles and then as Jon asks, there's a pause as he uses the wire basket to fish out the first of the pakodas. "It's like a corn flatbread. Just not cornbread."

But he knew Jon would ask if he brought up his mother and Damian shakes his head. "She visits the Manor now. A lot. Father has given her access to the library and other areas in the house. She was researching the Necronomicon. Father has one of the second editions in his house, so it has none of the power that the first one is rumored to contain."

He considers for a moment. "She is looking well. I think she might even be happy? As happy as I have seen her that is. Told me she was working with a group out of the Candle, Booke and Belle. I may have to investigate."

Another pakoda goes into the frying oil. "And you know I shrivel if I get too much sun, Jon." A small smirk at that, as he turns his attention to the other young man. "You've always had something of a family. Even when you... you know." From the future.

"I was taught to only be loyal to my Grandfather. Not how to care for him. Or Mother. Father. Father's extended family." A shake of his head.

"Relationships may very well be the thing I am weakest at."

Jon Kent has posed:
    "The Necronomicon? I'm guessing that's not a cookbook." Jon remarks as he starts up the game -- aaadn it needs to download updates. "About fifteen minutes until the game's done updating, and *then* we can play it." he calls out and he gives an embarrassed smile.

    "You're not wrong. I mean, coming here, and finding Dad, Mom, my cousin, and even more Kryptonians hanging about was really cool! And of course, Gramma and Pops. Con --" he trails off, and he gives a bright smile.

    "You can't shrivel in the sun, Dami. I've already seen you in the sunlight in spite of your night-job." he gives a bright grin at that, thousand watts, and then he considers.

    "It's not easy. Care is an active verb, like struggle, or fight. It's always changing. And people can be really tough to care for when they're down, or sad." he remarks thoughtfully.

    "and it's not easy to balance caring for your friends and family and life as a superhero. Mom and Dad managed, but sometimes I wonder what it would have been like if they weren't both famous, or needed the alter-egos. And I understand the pressure that you must feel being Batman's kid." he looks over the rim of his glasses. "There's a *lot* of pressure putting on a red cape and calling myself SuperBoy."

Damian Wayne has posed:
"Necromonicon, book of death and undeath. I'm worried she might be looking into something different than the Lazarus Pit. I will not bring this up to Father. He is the Detective, he can figure it out." Damian is being a little difficult and stubborn.

But when the talk turns from video games to Jon's family, Damian continues to cook, finishing off the last of the bread and opening the dutch over to expose the Garam Masala.

When there's the mention of that last name, Damian winces in sympathy. It's not something he can help with, but he can feel for his friend.

"Like a vampire. Put me in the sun and I go 'poof'." he points out, but turns his attention back to the subject. "We're both in the shadows of those that came before us. In my case, there's a whole line of them that Father tested before realizing I was there." Smug smug.

A draw of breath as Jon nails it on the head, but he lifts his chin in pride. "When the time comes, I will take my place." he points out. "And you, with those broad shoulders and bright smile, already makes your father proud."

Jon Kent has posed:
    "Ah... shouldn't you maybe bring that up to Zatanna? Or another magical person? Is your mom going to raise a horde of zombies? Isn't that a book that could bring out like, REALLY BAD stuff, Damian?" Jon questions, switching from being poinient and then just... eyeballing Damian.

    "Dad would be proud of me even if I didn't have powers and decided to follow Mom into journalism. Just like if you weren't super smart and super skilled, pretty sure your dad would be proud of you even if you were like... a football player, or a comic book artist. Novel writer?" he considers a moment.

    "And pretty sure your dad picked up two more after you, if I remember right."

Damian Wayne has posed:
"I will bring it up if she starts looking seriously into it. I'm curious at the moment if she is only just... I don't know. A case of a cat that has found itself in an unfamiliar place and is feeling it out. And are you really, really, quoting the plot of Evil Dead to me, Jon Kent?" Damian asks, an arch of a brow to rise above his sunglasses as he prepares a plate and slides it over to Jon. "Careful, it's hot."

As in spicy.

"Your father finds pride in all the things that you do. It is an enviable trait." Damian points out, before he shakes his head. "I hold no illusions to how Father must feel sometimes. As you said, he found two others since me." Way to deflate him, Jon!

He makes his own plate and sets it aside to start to clean up after the small mess he made. He does not want to get a note from Caitlin on it all.

"And by football, you better not mean American football." Nice cover you got there, Damian.

Jon Kent has posed:
    "Hot doesn't bother me!" Jon gives a grin as he picks one up, and then points it at Damian "Your dad does too! He just shows it differently 'cause he's the quiet type. BUt he's never considered benching you, or making you go do cats-out-of-trees work -- which would probably work for you... cats need to be safe, too." Jon pauses a moment. And then he gives a big grin.

    "I met one of them through Gabby. She seems cool, didn't even get bothered when she was shot at. Just ducked and grumbled." he explains "I took care of the shooter, it was really disappointing you know. Just like 'it's obvious I'm right there, why would you do that?'"

    And Damian would just get a grin out of Jon. "No, definitely not Soccer." he states, and takes a bite out of the item.

    And then he blinks. He looks converned. His cheeks and ears get red, and he coughs a moment before in a split second he's raiding the fridge.

    "Milk -- milk, milk milk..."

Damian Wayne has posed:
Damian warned you, Jon! He's sitting there eating his like there's no big deal between bites. "Oh, Father has threatened to 'bench' me plenty of times." he points out with a small frown, but he adds. "Why, when I can just ask you to rip the tree out of the ground and then I can remove the cat." Said, so innocently as he takes another bite.

"Usually, when I see Gabby, she's hanging around with Tim most of the time." He looks thoughtful. "We had a date once. Got interrupted by work stuff. Never got back together with her after that." he admits with a sheepish little shrug.

"She got the full on Damian Wayne in public experience. I don't blame her."

He was just about to say something crass on the football vs. soccer debate when Jon's face gets a whole brand new color. He lifts a hand, a finger extending to point at the large fridge. "Over there." His hand is settled over his mouth. It hides a smile. It may actually be covering a laugh.

But as Jon is rushing towards the fridge for sweet cold salvation from Damian's taste in good food, he adds, "And this isn't like the farm where you can drink out of the container. That's gross!"

Caitlin Fairchild has posed:
There's a notification from the lift a moment before the doors slide open, admitting Caitlin into the main room. It looks like she's just come from the hospital, wearing rumpled periwinkle scrubs, practical rubber no-slip shoes, and with her red hair full of hairclips and pulled into a hasty bun at the back of her head.

Two heavy-sounding bags are dropped down on the large dining table and she flashes a friendly smile at the two boys. "Hey guys," she greets them both. Caitlin ambles past them and heads towards the fridge, waiting for Jon to get his drinks before pulling two SnackyShakes(tm) out from the dispenser. They rattle as she shakes them. "Mmm. That smells good," she compliments. There's a little sauce left in the saucepan and she drags a finger through it for a sample, then 'mms!' approvingly and bobs her head. "It /is/ good. Which one of you cooked?" she inquires, flickering a finger between them.

Jon Kent has posed:
    Jon's head pops up over the door of the fridge "I'll buy a new one!" he states, and then tilts his head back and yes, he is drinking from the container of milk. About half a gallon's gone.

    "And you *could* ask me to rip the tree out, but it's easier to gently lift the cat out of the tree. And less messy." Jon points out as he huffs a breath out.

    "... you mean this was back when you had body guards and everything and tried to be Rich Guy?" Jon asks, and gives a smile as he moves out of the way of Caitlin, since he was the one getting the drinkie drinks, in this case he's still holding the formerly full gallon of milk, which he embarrassedly toasts to Damian.

    "You don't want me doing any cooking. I burn Gramma's cookie recipies."

Damian Wayne has posed:
"What you are telling me is that you will rescue the cat for me. Problem solved." Damian offers with mock cheerfulness and a smirk. "My hero."

And then he brings up Damian's 'popular' arc and the young man groans, but he is saved by the arrival of Caitlin! "Evening, Caitlin, our game had a huge update, so I wanted to whip something up with all the corn that Jon brought back with him. Help yourself, there is some left."

And Jon can sense it. Like a little switch. A little more withdrawn, a little more introverted. He's working on it. But it's a slow process.

Made worse when Jon points out when it's Damian that cooked. "See, she does not think it's spicy either." he points out casually as he swivels in his seat. "Need more milk?"

Caitlin Fairchild has posed:
"Interesting medical fact: spiciness is not, in fact, heat," Caitlin says with a bright enthusiasm. A small bowl is retrieved and Caitlin takes two-thirds of what's left, leaving the remainder for Jon or Damian in case they want the last few bites. "It's your body producing a histamine reaction to the presence of capsaicin. Kinda like hayfever, except much tastier."

The redhead leans her hips against the counter behind her and crosses her ankles in a comfortably relaxed slouch. A couple spoonfuls of the garam masala go down and she nods her hearty approval again. "Man, this is /really/ good," she mumbles, poking around the bowl with her spoon.

"So what game are you guys playing?" she inquires of the duo. "I can't remember the last time I sat down to play a video game. I even had to suspend my WoW subscription," she says with a rueful tone.

Jon Kent has posed:
    "It's... my super-tastebuds!" Jon protests uselessly, and he takes another swig of the milk as he heaves a sigh, and almost pouts. "I was thinkin' more corn on the cob and not panda-dus." he replies to Damian, clearly now trying to get a rise about the item he's made, and he gives a shrug.

    "Well Damian typically likes to play Total Kombat, and I'd picked up Animal Crosswalk: Aloha Island, but then there's *ALSO* a new Monster Master Stadium that's come out, but I also have this deep sea ocean diving one where you can collect weird fish... but this is a combat game that's on a network, but it has NINJAS and ASSASSINS and takes place in I think ... uh... early 1900's San Diego?" he blinks, and reaches for the case.

    "I figured it'd be right up his alley to try out.

Damian Wayne has posed:
"She is telling you that you are allergic to my cooking, Jon." That is not what Caitlin said at all, but Damian is going to rib Jon about it anyway. He takes some of the pakoda he made, swiping it in the bowl to sop up the sauce and eats on it. "My Grandfather wanted me to be trained in many things should a mission..." Read: Assassination. "...require it. I have been taught Indian, French and Japanese cuisines."

Popping the rest of the masala into his mouth, he chews and swallows. That's when Jon brings up the game. He says NOTHING on Animal Crosswalk. Jon doesn't need to know he has an account.

But while Jon is talking games, Damian shifts to business and considers. "I saw that we have new Titans and all. That is good. Are there any problems or projects that Jon and I should know about that I did not see posted?" he asks Caitlin curiously. "You are usually the one that has the pulse on everything, but we can catchup another time, unless it is only a little info?"

Yaretzi Acama has posed:
It's an evening off for Yaretzi, caught up on all her homework and other assignments, and East Harlem was quiet for the hour she already spent patrolling in the area as Golden Eagle -- so she hopped on the hyperloop for the fifteen minute ride down to Gotham. From there, she transformed back into Eagle and flew to the Titans' HQ, landing on the roof and taking the elevator down from there. As she floats down the hallway towards the main room, she hears something that catches her attention...

"Did someone mention Total Kombat?", she calls out as she's just entering big room and, on spotting where everyone's at, angling herself towards the kitchen area. She's all smiles and almost palpable excitement -- clearly, she's a fan of that game.

Caitlin Fairchild has posed:
As soon as Yare joins them, Caitlin spoons up the last of the food and serves it in a bowl for the winged warrior, along with a napkin and a proper soup spoon. "Yeah, it's all the rage right now," she confirms for Yare with a wry chuckle and a little nod towards Jon. "Maybe I can rope Vic into playing a bit one of these late evenings when I'm off-shift. I suppose I could cut into my sleep time a little more, especially if it's as fun as you say," she tells Jon.

Caitlin settles her eyes on Damian, and her expression goes more thoughtful. "Let's see. I don't /think/ there's anything team-focused going on," she tells Damian. "Some solo stuff, of course, and anyone not tasked out is welcome to drop in on anyone else's house problems." A polite way to say 'I'm not going to invite myself to Gotham'? "We've always got some new recruits and trainees, though. And even the ones who have some real field experience, it's worth focusing more on teamwork and tactical planning," she suggests. "When we first assembled the Titans, the original crew spent a lot lot LOT of time running rehearsals and planning communications. It's a skill worth developing." There's no extra emphasis put on it, but a subtle weight to her gaze implies that it's a skill Damian in particular should be honing in his training time.

Jon Kent has posed:
    One does not simply walk into Gotham City.

    Jon Kent is mostly finished the gallon of milk, and he lifts it in greeting to Golden Eagle. "HEy! YEah, Total Kombat, we can set it up and see how long it takes Dams to point out that all of the fatalities are unrealisitc." he gives a bright smile. "I'm Superboy. Nice to meet you!" he gives a grin and stands up from where he was sitting on the couch to offer a hand. "Ah, please pardon the milk -- his Panarams are pretty spicy." he greets Yare, then turns back to Caitlin.

    "If the 'net wasn't so bad at my gramma's I'd see if I could hook it up. But I lag so bad, it's almost easier to just fly here." he jokes.

Damian Wayne has posed:
Caitlin is more than willing to lean on Damian. Even when Damian can be a willful so-and-so when he wants to be. Which is all of the time, obviously. When Golden Eagle arrives, he looks her over and then turns his attention to Caitlin again. "It sounds as if it is time for another training mission. I am sure I can find something worthy for planning." A small, subtle smile offered to the redhead.

Which means it is probably a terrible idea and Damian is already brewing on making it happen. "And I am well versed on communicating information when it needs to be communicated." A small huff as he pushes his sunglasses up on his nose.

He swivels back to Eagle. "We have not played in a while, so it is downloading a super big patch. Which is something that none of us can hope to defeat or speed up. Perhaps there will be a chance once the update is complete." But he's still not made with an introduction yet.

"I did one better, Superboy." An easy switch from Jon as he uses his superheroic name and he points a finger at the 'real name jar' for Jon to see. 'Dams' counts as a real name. "I am Batwing." he offers in way of polite greeting. New members don't get real names. Caitlin's special. She's been around forever. "I also took the liberty of printing off all the Freindships so you do not have to see blood, Superboy. Do you want the Babalities as well?"

Smile.

Yaretzi Acama has posed:
Golden Eagle's feet touch the floor and she smiles at Caitlin. "I ate earlier, but thanks the same", she says, rejecting the offered food with a smile. "I'm Golden Eagle", the latina heroine then replies, leaning forward over the counter a bit as she reaches out to accept Jon's offered handshake. When that's done, she offers her hand, in turn, to Batwing -- though she doesn't repeat her name, obviously. She does chirp, her tone friendly, a greeting: "Hi!"

Jon Kent has posed:
    Jon opens his mouth, and then closes his mouth, and then he exhales, and sighs as he gets his wallet out, and actually cringes as he pulls a five out and puts it in the Real Name Jar.

    "Batwing. Batwing. Batwing Batwing," his ears turning red as he drops the bill in, and looks back over.

    "I've already seen you as a baby, Batwing!"

Caitlin Fairchild has posed:
Caitlin winces at Jon when Batwing calls him out. Her expression is much more sympathetic, at least-- one glance in the jar would reveal a good number of bills carefully folded the same way, as if the same person has made multiple deposits this month.

At least Caitlin's getting better about it.

"I had to donate so much to the jar that I had to start writing 'IOU's out to it," she reassures Jon. "Took me years to pay them all down. I think I paid for pizza night for a year."

When Yare politely refuses the bowl, Caitlin looks at it, looks at her meal, and dumps the last of the garam masa in with her dinner. "Snooze, ya lose," she mumbles to all the non-existent Titans missing the meal, and takes a few more hearty bites. She's turning a little pink across the cheeks from the spiciness, but clearly is relishing the flavor too much to quit!

Damian Wayne has posed:
Damian accepts Eagle's hand, getting a grasp on the feel of her grip and his eyes narrow in thought as he considers the possiblities as he pulls his hand back. "Similar powerset?" he asks as he looks between Caitlin and Golden Eagle. But right. Be social. Try to be polite. "Hello, it is a pleasure to meet you, Golden Eagle." he offers.

A look to Caitlin and Jon. Did he do it right?

"OH MY GOD, SHUT UP, CORNFED!" he yells over at Superboy. "I'll see you as a baby in about year!" he responds at Jon, immediately getting a >:| face at his best friend. He is NEVER EVER going to live down the baby picture fiasco.

"On the other hand, I have never had to pay into the jar and have enjoyed the fruits of that labor." Damian points out. "Perhaps this year, we can use the money for a Holiday party." Because why not? See, it's a suggestion, Caitlin! Rejoice!

Yaretzi Acama has posed:
"Similar, I guess", is Golden Eagle's reply about her powerset as compared to Caitlin's. "Haven't actually tested it, yet, but I think Cait's stronger and tougher, but I can fly... can you fly, too, Cait?", she says, ending with the query. She doesn't look at all put out about having missed out on the foodage.

She can't miss the whole 'baby Batwing' thing, but seems content to let that bit of conversation go by the wayside, after she sees and hears Damian's response to it. She does say, "Cornfed, huh?"

Jon Kent has posed:
    Jon gives a laugh, so hard that the milk he was finishing comes out his nose, and he has to reach out to grab a handful of napkins to try and cover his leaking nose , laughing while trying not to drown in the last of the gallon of milk he's tried to take in.

    He shakes his head, adn points at his nose before he lifts off the floor and heads over to the sink to clean up, and explains through thick laughing and almost drowning in dairy: "FROM. KANSAS." with a bright grin, washing his hands up a bit.

    "I live on my grandparents' farm when I'm not at school."

Caitlin Fairchild has posed:
Caitlin makes a face at Yare's question. "/No/," she mumbles, a little defensively. "Friggin' everyone else on this team can fly, I gotta walk everywhere." It's more a grumbling internal complaint than actual plea, and she exhales wearily before looking back up at Yare. "You're definitely in the upper percentile with the Titans," she reassures her. "I think once we get more data on you and on a proper training plan, you might catch up to me, Kara and Donna." Donna is perhaps just as strong as Caitlin, too, but no one contends Cait's sheer stamina or her ability to take hits and stay in the fight.

"I wouldn't mind getting you in the lab either," she tells Jon, and wiggles her spoon at him. She's grinning at the back-and-forth between the two young men. "For one you need a full physical workup, and for two, I'd like to get some baseline metrics so I can build a health and nutrition plan. Fortunately, I am a professional xenobiologist," she says, proudly. "Me and the other like... five of us, all decided that last year."

Cough cough.

Damian Wayne has posed:
"I do not fly." This is matter of fact from Damian as he finishes off his food, "You look a little flushed, Cait." He hops off his chair and goes to wash the bowl out and start to set up the pot to soak it. "Nor am I super strong, super fast or any of that."

He just has a paticular set of skills. "So I suppose I am what brings down the mean average around here." And makes him rather uninteresting. "I saw there were some other brickhouses that could benefit from that as well." Damian points out as he starts to scrub the pot. "But Caitlin's shakes brings all the boys and girls to the yard." It's said so dryly it's a blink and you'll miss it. "I can attest, she makes them well."

Scrub scrub the pot.

Yaretzi Acama has posed:
Golden Eagle's eyes widen. "Catch up with -Supergirl-? Me?", she says, laughter in her tone of voice. "I honestly don't think so, 'cause I know my own powers pretty well. There's no way I'm even close to being in her league...!", she says to Caitlin, holding both hands up in a 'stop' sort of gesture as she speaks. "I'm not sure I'm in the same league as any of the kryptonians, honestly", she adds, putting her hands on her hips before going on. "I'm nowhere close to -that- strong and tough! ... at least I don't think I am. Pretty sure I'm not."

"You're one of the Bats", she then says after Damian's spoken. "That makes you one of the team's brains, automatically", she concludes, lifting one hand to gesture towards him.

Jon Kent has posed:
    "So there's six xenobiologists on the Titans, for the... six aliens and alien hybrids who are on the Titans? Or are there more or less? Do the Xenobiologists outnumber us?!" Jon asks as he returns to the couch, and then he pauses, and looks to Damian. He looks him up and down, and puts his hand to his chin a moment.

    And takes a drink out of a new gallon of milk.

    "Yeah I guess he's smart." he gives a bright grin.

    "And it's not about being strong or tough -- it's about doing the most Good that you can and giving back. And if you do that? Well then you're right on par with me or my dad!" he gives a bright smile to Golden Eagle.

Caitlin Fairchild has posed:
Yare gets an encouraging smile and a gentle, reassuring squeeze to her shoulder. The ginger scientist certainly seems to think that the Golden Eagle can still grow and adapt!

Caitlin picks up a dry cucumber sponge and *bops* Damian on the head. "Go talk to your brother about bringing girls to the yard," she suggests with a dry amusement. "I'm not the world's most interesting roommate, but at least I don't have floozies showing up at all hours at the ferry with 'Marry Me!' signs." Weary exhalation.

"Anyway, Superboy--" she looks back at Superboy. "There's about six xenobiologists in the /world/. Well," she amends, "there are probably plenty of other candidates who can do the work. We're not officially recognized as a specialty science yet, so it's kind of an awkward amalgamation of medical doctors and astrophysicists," she admits. "We had a conference a year or so ago. Not a lot of takers. Maybe this year we'll have enough to start pulling together something," she says, hopefully.

Damian Wayne has posed:
Jon is always going to be the optimism and sunshine. Damian, well, they are polar opposites for a reason. "If Caitlin believes you can improve, I would buy into it and at least let her try. There is always room for improvement."

Though there's a smirk at being called one of the brains of the group. "I take care of things that others in the Titans are rather loathed to try to handle."

Then he gets booped, it's not the boop, but the comment that causes him to bristle slightly. "I do not need lessons in romance from any of my brothers. Not the one with the ass. Not the one with the helmeted head up his ass." he grumps, and folds his hands over his chest. "If I wanted to be in a relationship..." There's a reach to grab the sponge before he turns to the sink and goes to wash out the pot. "I would be in one. I am intelligent. I am well-versed in several skills that a potential mate would find attractive. I am attractive. I am well connected. There is no reason why I could not have a relationship if I wanted one." A huff.

"I just ... chose not to have one." NO CHEATING JON, YOU CHEATING CHEATER who heard that momentary slip of heartrate at decreased confidence.

Jon Kent has posed:
    Jon IS Optimism and Sunshine!

    "Well I mean, Xenobiology would be a really hard subject regardless. There's differences between Kryptonian, Tamerian, Human, Atlantean, I mean just think about all the bodies that are on EARTH that are nonstandard!" Jon gives a bright grin. "And as more and more people show up from across the stars, I'm sure it'll be easier to find work like that!" he smiles, and then he turns to Damian with a grin.

    "YEah, you do things the Titans won't. The Dishes!" he gives a bright smile to his darker half.

Caitlin Fairchild has posed:
Caitlin can't help it; she breaks up laughing at Damian's staunch rejection of the idea of needing 'relationship' advice. "Don't worry, I'm sure you'll find some nice girl from Canada by the time Christmas rolls around," she reassures him, and gives his shoulder a reassuring squeeze. A nice enough sentiment, though the fact that it's coming from Caitlin of all people likely twists the knife just a bit!

Still it's all said with earnest good humor, and she makes up for it by stepping up to the sink to help with dishes. After all, she didn't cook it, but she ate it! "I've been really lucky because of my time here with the Titans," she tells Jon. "The DEO, SHIELD-- all they have is autopsies and the rare alien prisoner." She shudders. "But with the aliens on our team alone, my data sets are more complete than most. I might not know /everything/ about Kryptonians, but there's not a lot of people-- er, humans-- who know more than me." It's not said as a boast; just a statement of simple confidence in her intellect.

Damian Wayne has posed:
Damian checks to see if Golden Eagle is gone. Once she has disappeared off towards her home, the dark haired and shortest one in the room shakes the cucumber sponge at Jon. "Keep it up, Jon, I will not cook for you again." he grouses. "See how long you last on Batburger and Pizzas."

And while Caitlin's tease is meant to be reassuring, it really isn't, but he does fire back, "I did not realize you were from Canada, Caitlin. I am flattered." With that, he moves over, accepting the help at the sink from the redhead, unlike the BUM over on the couch with the gallon of milk.

He is taking in the information on the whole aliens thing. "It's not just Kryptonians, though, there are many new alien life forms showing up." Even he has to admit to that. "I am not sure if we will ever get the chance to figure them all out." With Caitlin handling the rinse, he works on the drying off.

Jon Kent has posed:
    "Indefinitely. And my Gramdma cooks for me. She wants you to come back for a visit and pie before Thanksgiving." Jon replies -- and as Damian's doing the drying, he's doing the putting away. "Also, name jar, Batwing!" Jon gives a bright smile, putting the milk away (now marked 'SUPERBOY' on it), and zips around putting the dishes away into their proper cabinets.

    "... also why would Batwing need a girlfriend from Canada? ... Are they building a Hyperloop to Toronto?! That would be SO COOL to ride the hyperloop to Canada and use my passport!" he gives a bright grin.

Caitlin Fairchild has posed:
"Oh, tell her I said 'hi'," Caitlin says a little wistfully to Jon. "I've only ever spoken to her on the phone, but she seems like such a dear lady." She shoos him away when he starts flying a little too close overhead, like waving away a housefly. "I've still got her potato salad recipe. I need to send her some of mine and see if I can coax her cake recipe out of her, too," Caitlin says with a thoughtful look skyward, mostly thinking out loud.

"I've been begging Nightwing for home recipes for years, but he'd never give me any family secrets," she tells Damian. "All three of 'em," she says upon reflection, including Jason and Tim. "No family recipes. I like to make a special meal for birthday dinner, so if there's anything you'd like me to make, just let me know." She flashes an encouraging smile at Damian and puts the last of the dishes up to dry, and wipes her hands on the kitchen cloth before offering it to Damian to use next.

Damian Wayne has posed:
"Caitlin knows your name, Superdoof." Damian rolls his eyes, but in order to make Jon feel better, he opens his wallet, taking out a crisp $100 and he folds it and puts in the jar. "I have not paid in a while." Or ever. "And it adds weight to my idea of a party."

"I am totally visiting before the holidays. I will need two pies though. One while I'm there and one to bring back, of course." With that, his attention swiveling back Caitlin. "I know who to talk to." he promises. "I will see what I can do to secure that for you." he just has to convince Alfred to write it down. Accepting the rag to wipe off his own hands, he then tosses the rag at Jon. "You got milk on your chin." He doesn't, but it's fun.

Jon Kent has posed:
    "I'll tell her when I see her tomorrow." Jon gives a smile to Caitlin, and he laughs as he's shoo'd away.

    "Well I mean, do they actually cook at Damian's house? I thought someone else did all the fooding. Which must be hard 'cause they've got so many there, right?" Jon asks thoughtfully, and then he catches the rag, and taking Damian's word, he dabs his chin, and then goes to rinse it out. "That's like asking if my mom cooks."

Caitlin Fairchild has posed:
"All I know is that there's a guy named Alfred who can make an incredible lobster thermidore," Caitlin concludes. "Pretty fancy, growing up with a proper chef." She grins at Damian to show she's kidding and walks back over to her bags, shouldering the heavy burdens with no visible effort.

"I hate to eat and run, but I'm past my scheduled dinner break. I have to get studying, we've got an exam on the kidneys coming up and I am a terrible nephrologist," she admits. "Thanks for cleaning the kitchen up. Try not to stay up too late gaming, all right?" she suggests, and twiddles her fingers farewell before taking her leave to the women's dorms.

Damian Wayne has posed:
And about the same time Caitlin says that, the screen beeps, letting Damian and Jon know their game has finally updated. When she teases him though, for some reason, Damian's face goes really dark as he slips into a bad place. It takes a second, and he puts back on that public face. "Yeah. Fancy."

He's hiding something. "Good night, Caitlin." To Jon, he turns his attention. "Ready to get rocked?" he asks him with a small smirk as he heads towards the couch.

Jon Kent has posed:
    Jon reaches out, and puts his hand on Damian's shoulder. He gives a smile.

    "Only if you're ready to be a baby again, Dami!" he gives a bright, toothy grin, sunshine and rainbows, and turns his head to pick up a controller.

    "And your Pandathons weren't THAT Spicy. I just really wanted Milk."