16207/Back to NY

Back to NY
Date of Scene:	29 October 2023
Location:	5C - Conner's Greenwich Loft
Synopsis:	Conner returns from Gotham to find Kiden still in his apartment. They have pizza and talk about raves.
Cast of Characters:	Kiden Nixon, Conner Kent

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Kiden Nixon has posed:
Conner was nice enough to let Kiden use the apartment over the weekend while he was out of the city. And she, in turn, did her best to keep it clean and neat so he wouldn't have any extra mess when he got back. And, after a quick trip and talk with Laura, she has a plan... of sorts. She's trusting Laura's advice, largely because Laura actually has more experience with relationships than she does. Which is probably worrisome in and of itself.

Still, when she hears him approaching the apartment, she jumps into No Time, using it to run around and get everything 'set up' for his entrance. Herself included! Which means dressing in the clothes Laura provided and making sure that Conner enters the apartment to the scent of a hot, fresh pizza, some trancey dance music, and Kiden. Standing there with a nervous smile and lifting a hand to wiggle fingers at him in greeting. "Uh... hey. Conner. Welcome home."

The clothes Laura lent her fit well but are very clearly more of a clubbing sort of getup. A short skirt in an oilslick material, appearing black but shimmering into different colors with each little shift or movement. A purple fishnet shirt that goes down to her hands, under a dark steel grey metallic pvc corset. More fishnets on her legs, and disappearing into knee-high boots with a ton of buckles and three inch platform soles. She's clean and showered and he can see a duffel on the floor behind her, so she's packed and ready to go. But there's candles, and pizza, and music... and she's still here.

Conner Kent has posed:
That Laura has non zero experience with dating would really surprise Conner. Maybe Gabby has been giving her lessons? Unlikely. Some things are not meant to be.

Conner studio apartment is kind of boring. He has no TV (because he uses his laptop for that) and the books around are all college-related, but for a tiny few that were gifts from nerdy friends. He has a few souvenirs from odd places, but little on personal items besides his clothes. Which include half a dozen leather jackets, since they have a two weeks lifespan or so.

He shows up at the early evening, hearing the music from the hallway, he hesitates before opening the door. He expected Kiden to have left already. Well, no biggie, they can chat a little.

And... Kiden is dressed for clubbing? That is a bit odd. "Hello..." he closes the door behind him. "Er... nice to see you again. You look better and... Laura gave you that?"

Kiden Nixon has posed:
"It's.. good to see you again too. I, I hope you don't mind. I wanted to... to thank you. For the use of the apartment, and the shower. I was able to pick up some shifts at Fred's thanks to the shower, and getting sleep inside and warm was... really good." Kiden lets out bit of a nervous laugh and moves towards the table with the pizza on it. "I got some pizza. In case you... wanted to eat. I wasn't sure what you liked, so I just got pepperoni. Hope that's okay."

She's laying out plates and napkins when she hears the question, pausing and looking to Conner with a small nod. "Uh, yeah. She had some stuff from years back when we first met. A little too small for her now, but it fits me pretty good. Maybe a bit on the short side.."

The skirt is short enough that he could tell the color of her underwear if she bent over, and the corset ends a few inches shy of the skirt's waistband. But otherwise it does seem to fit her pretty well! She tugs at the skirt lightly and offers another nervous smile towards him. "So.. uhhhhhh... how was... your weekend?"

Conner Kent has posed:
Conner eyes the outfit. Laura is actually shorter than Kiden (barely) but about the same build. Still... "well, I am glad. Sadly, Robin was out of town this weekend, so I emailed him but I have no news about your documentation yet. Maybe you can get a place... or I can stay in Gotham a few days. I have a room at the team base. I'd hate to think you need to sleep in the streets, the days are getting colder."

New York rent is crazy, but with her powers she could rent a room in a nearby town, he guesses. At least until she can get a decently paid job.

Oh, and there is pizza, he grins. "Any pizza is good. Even the pineapple one that some people hate. Weekend was good, we didn't have to go to attend disasters of super-villain attacks. So it was a little research, a little working in college stuff, and a good deal of watching old movies and just hanging out."

Kiden Nixon has posed:
Kiden wears the outfit well, and is clearly comfortable in the getup, clothes she's used to even if she doesn't have any herself just now. "Oh! No, that's fine. I didn't expect you guys to like... drop everything and run over to get me all legal." She flickers a quick smile at him, then shakes her head, "No place until I can get ID. Everywhere expects an ID at the least."

She pauses, then looks back to him, "I really appreciate the offer, but I can't put you out, Conner. I feel bad enough having taken up your apartment all weekend." Kiden leans over the table, flipping the lid on the pizza box with a smile, "Ta-da! Extra large pepperoni. I figured you could probably eat a whole one of these yourself, but I hope you won't mind if I snag one slice."

She motions to the table, "Just, you know, a... light dinner? Just us?"" Before he can respond, she rushes over to the fridge, "Oh! And I got some soda! You didn't want coffee, so I figured soda is more your speed?" She grabs up a two liter from the fridge and snags a cup, moving back towards the table with a smile. "Sit, sit!"

Conner Kent has posed:
Conner laughs. "No, it is okay. Hey, told you I don't need to eat. I just do it for the tasty bits. Never could get into coffee, yeah. Kinda bitter, and caffeine does nothing to my metabolism, so I don't need it." Soda is fine, he had a few cans in the fridge, and now he brings out two glasses.

"So, to make it clear, you are going to sleep in the street tonight? Can't you stay with a friend or in a shelter?" Asks Conner. There is not even a couch in his apartment, but see, he actually can go without sleeping for a while. "Because... I really spend most of my time at the ESU campus, and sleep is something I do only once or twice a week."

Kiden Nixon has posed:
Kiden smiles and gives a nod, "Got it, I'll keep that in mind. So pizza is a good choice. So is soda. What other sorts of things do you consider tasty? Like... some people like sour stuff or spicy stuff, some people have a giant sweet tooth..." She pours out soda for him but sticks to water for herself.

Taking a seat, she gives a nod, "That's where I sleep every night, Conner. There's some places that are better than tohers. Best places are the big vents blowing out hot air, but most of those are on main streets, so the cops tend to roust people away from them." Grabbing a slice of the pizza, Kiden lifts her brows at him, "Shelters are full. Overfull. Priority cases only, and I don't count. And... the friends I had are.. gone. Except for Laura. She's the only one from back in the day that kept in contact."

Lifting a shrug, she takes a bite and chews on it, swallowing before she smiles at him, "Nuh uh. I don't do handouts, Conner. Either we share and I pay into the bills, or I'll head out after dinner."

Conner Kent has posed:
"I guess I have a sweet tooth, but I will try everything at least once. Uh, really spicy stuff... that is Laura's corner." He smiles, then shakes his head at Kiden words. "Well, alright. Just come here if the night gets too cold, I don't need sleep much and there is always some college work to do in the laptop. Don't be so prideful you get sick, please." He does have a laptop bag with him, but he took it to Gotham for the weekend.

He goes for a pizza slice and looks at her again. "Those are... er... not very practical clothes for shelters or street vents. I hope Laura has also given you more practical ones. Seeing you wearing that, I kind of want to take you to a club."

Kiden Nixon has posed:
"I will basically eat anything that doesn't make me sick, so... I guess I'm a cheap date," Kiden chuckles and flushes lightly before taking a few quick bites of the pizza to keep herself busy. She swallows it down with a gulp of water. Glancing over at Conner, she flickers a brief smile, "Seriously, I appreciate it. I just don't want you to feel like you can't be in your own place. I don't need privacy, you know. Last time I had a place, there were like... five of us in a one bedroom apartment. And I'd be out of here most of the time. I'd go stir-crazy if I couldn't be out doing stuff."

She glances down at the outfit, then chuckles, "No, they aren't. I'd layer up before heading out." The mention of a club has her perking up, however, smiling. "You want to go to a club? With me? Okay! I know all the clubs in the area. Do you prefer like... heavy metal, or trance, or rock, electronica?"

Conner Kent has posed:
"Rules don't apply to me, I am half-Kryptonian, I feed from sunlight and my relatives have houses in places North Pole and underwater. We are a weird bunch," Conner gestures around. "This is me trying to be a normal human for a few years and get a college title. Which ends next Spring, because I am almost finished with college and almost out of money."

He sighs. "It was great, and I might try to get a normal job afterwards and keep in touch with the college crew. But it is not really necessary. But you do need a place to stay, food and warmth. So, yeah..." a beat.

"Heavy metal, rock too, but I can dance to anything," he grins. "And of course I'd take you to a club anytime."

Kiden Nixon has posed:
"I'm a mutant... there are like... five times as many rules for me, and half of them contradict the other half. So I'm mostly screwed no matter what I do," Kiden offers a wry twist of a smile and lifts one shoulder into a shrug. "I, uh... I never finished high school. I ran away when I was fifteen... tenth grade. I've done all the reading for it, I know all the stuff I need to know, I just... you know... money. ID. The usual." She takes a big sip of water and swallows.

Looking back to Conner, she smiles, "Nothing wrong with that. Gus lets me work as a waitress when I can clean up enough for it. I get to keep tips and he gives me free food. If I can get legal, and stay... clean.. he'll probably hire me on full. I can get a ton more done than most of the others... mutant power advantage."

Returning his grin, she nods, "Okay. I'm usually more of a rave girl myself, but I appreciate some good heavy metal. I know a place, and I bet I can get us in free, too. Most of the doormen know me, I've done favors for them here and there... and I get in for free when I show up!" Kiden pauses, then blinks and looks at him, "Wait, you... is that... you're flirting, right? That was flirting?"

Conner Kent has posed:
"And raves are fun, too," even if the music is lacking some... bite. But it is mostly the people, not the music, what counts. Wasthatwhat? Conner gives Kiden a quizzical glance. "It was if you say it was. I mean, you can't dress up like that and be surprised if guys flirt with you, hmm?" And here he has to wonder if Laura understands that, she has been doing it for a while.

Although Conner hasn't been really flirty, but for his comment of taking her to a club. He understands all too well Kiden is not in a good place right now, surviving more than living. It would be better to wait for her to get back to her feet before even considering flirting. "Sorry, that was dumb of me... anyway. I think... I could drop by the restaurant tomorrow at lunch, and talk some more?"

Kiden Nixon has posed:
"No. I mean.. that was... I wanted... aw hell," Kiden facepalms and sighs. Setting her pizza aside and the cup down, she pushes up to her feet and looks at Conner. "I... I like you, Conner. The whole point was to get you to flirt and.. and... I don't know. Just, see if you liked me too." She lifts a shrug and curls her fingers around the back of her neck.

"It wasn't dumb. I love going to parties and clubs. And I want to go with you. But I kinda figured that I was too... too... me?" Kiden shakes her head and groans, looking at the floor, "I'm sorry. I get it. I'm not... I'm... making this really awkward. I should go, right?" She nods and moves to get her duffel, "Yeah, I should go before I make it worse. Sorry."

Conner Kent has posed:
Conner tilts his head and then moves to intercept Kiden, gently guiding her back to her seat. "No, I like you. You are pretty and you are brave. But you are also in a pretty bad situation and I want to help you."

But he takes a step back. "And I don't want you to feel you need to do anything for me. I am not helping you because I want to date you. I am doing it because you need a helping hand now, and I am pretty sure you would do the same in my place. So, finish your pizza and tell me about that free rave place you know?"

Kiden Nixon has posed:
Angled back into her chair, Kiden sits and looks up at him. "So.. you like me." She smiles, looking pleased with that bit of knowledge. Looking back to Conner, she shrugs, "The situation isn't the best, sure, but it's not like... you're not soliciting me, Conner."

Reaching out, she snags his wrist, trying to keep him from moving away, "Wait. I get it. You want to help because I'm in a crappy place, but you don't want to take advantage. I... didn't want to take advantage of you either. I didn't want you to think I was only... because you have an apartment and food and indoor plumbing." Kiden smiles at him and gives a nod, "So... yeah. Rave. And.. neither of us is taking advantage of the other." She lets him go and smiles, picking up the pizza she'd set aside and taking a bite.

Conner Kent has posed:
"Yes," Conner hesitates. But Kiden made a pretty good summary of the situation. With a side of maybe Laura stabbing him if she thinks Conner is taking advantage of Kiden, now he thinks about it.

But that is cleared out, so he grabs another slice of pizza and wanders to his wardrobe to see what he has around suitable for a rave. Mostly shoes and leather jacket. Not all leather jackets are the same, you see.

"And maybe I will take advantage of you a little," he mentions, grinning at the girl. He waits five seconds. "That was flirting, by the way."

Kiden Nixon has posed:
She watches him go to the wardrobe, still munching on her pizza. Smiling as he looks in at the jackets and shoes. "The boots, definitely. And the jacket there in the middle. It's a little less stuff, more give, better for moving that ass on the dance floor!" Kiden flashes a grin and goes back to her pizza.

Finishing off the slice, going for the water when he mentions taking advantage of her. She chokes on the water, coughs, then clears her throat and calls back, "Can you take advantage of the willing? I don't know that that's a thing!"

Conner Kent has posed:
"The boots are for rough landings, I broke too many regular shoes," points out Conner. "For Raves, hrm," he had better options, in his opinion, but since Kiden like those boots, he will do it. The jacket is fine, too. Lighter but flashier than most.

Can he take advantage of the willing? Maybe not, but he can tease about it, and seeing her choke makes him smile. "We'll find out tonight, I think."

Kiden Nixon has posed:
"I mean, there's going to be a lot of people jumping and bouncing around. Super feet aside, sneakers are going to get thrashed in there. Besides, I bet they make you look badass," Kiden flashes a grin at him, imparting that little bit of wisdom. Rising up, she deals with her plate and cup, then moves to put the pizza into the fridge for safekeeping.

Moving in closer, Kiden slides her hands around his waist, under his jacket, lacing her fingers together at his back and smiling up at him, "Guess we will. All those powers, I'm really looking forward to seeing you on the floor, check that flow." Then she's glancing past him and grinning, "Can I... borrow one of those jackets?"

Conner Kent has posed:
"Didn't Laura give you one?" Asks Conner. His jackets are going to look huge on Kiden. But the night will get too cold to go around in fishnets and a corset. "Go ahead," he stands away from the wardrobe.

"If you like parties, there will be a huge one at the ESU in a couple days. I was going to skip it because in Halloween a lot of super-criminals feel they need to do something. But if we get lucky, and if you want to come, Halloween gets a lot of crazy fun there."