16469/Post-Pigging Check-In

Post-Pigging Check-In
Date of Scene:	02 December 2023
Location:	Queen Penthouse - Park Avenue
Synopsis:	No description
Cast of Characters:	Barry Allen, Oliver Queen, Emiko Queen

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Barry Allen has posed:
Everyone likes to think that they would go the extra mile for a friend.

In Barry's case that's certainly true. He doesn't mind going a few hundred extra miles for them. Of course that's really only a matter of a few seconds out of his way in his particular case. So maybe it doesn't mean quite as much.

But Barry will certainly assert that it is the thought that counts in this case.

He is a little more then a crimson streak as he races through the streets of New York city, weaving in and out of traffic, past crowds of pedestrians out on this particularly cold and blustery afternoon until he spots the now familiar apartment building up ahead.

The Scarlet Speedster doesn't even slow down as he nears the building, instead simply streaking up the side of the building, only screeching to a stop when he reaches the terrace at the top. Whirling in place for just a moment, that scarlet blur disipates and in moments Barry stands there, back in his normal clothes, casually walking up to the glass doors leading in from the balcony, casually rapping on the glass.

The many perks of superspeed.

Oliver Queen has posed:
It is fast approaching that time of year.

In all likelihood by the time Christmas rolls around Oliver Queen will be back in Star City -- at least for a few days -- to enjoy the holiday season in his proper home.

But for the moment the situation in Hell's Kitchen is far from resolved and a little more pressing then any of Star City's problems. So here he is and here he will remain for the foreseeable future. Small interludes aside of course.

While the Queen Mansion is no doubt decked out in the finest that various design consultants could come up with, a glittering marvel of holiday spirit, he is keeping things a little more modest at his New York apartment. Things might slowly get a little more glittery and impressive, but for the moment the Emerald Archer is distinctly out of costume, enjoying the quiet afternoon.

Kinda.

A Christmas Tree stands in one corner of the spacious living area while an array of boxes have been spread out across a nearby table, a selection of ornaments waiting to grace those green boughs as he picks t hrough them with the sort of intensity and focus that probably isn't really required for this sort of task. At least until that tapping comes at the door leading out to his terraced balcony.

That might be a surprise to some people, given how high up he is. Not so much Oliver. A quick glance over his shoulder confirms just who it is dropping by and he suppresses a sigh as he walks over to slide the door open. "You know I have another door, right?" he says drily as he lets his old friend in.

Emiko Queen has posed:
It was the time of year to spend more with family. Especially when you were someone who unfortunately did not get such luxuries growing up in an assassin's clan that did not allow for such frivilous emotional expenditures.

Which is just a long way of saying that it wasn't much of a suprise for Emiko to be spending more time around the penthouse with her brother during the brief interludes between vigilantism that they get. Not initially visible but she walks out of one of the rooms with a couple of wound rolls dangling on her arms. "I found the tinsle and garland in one of the other boxes... Oh, I see we have company."

It's almost a force of habit that she pulls out a granola bar and tosses it towards Barry, being well aware of the speedster metabolisms from her times with Bart.

Barry Allen has posed:
"Hey, I didn't just phase my way in. That's something. Don't be such a gloomy gus, Ollie," Barry counters with an arched brow before stepping past his friend and into the penthouse proper.

It would seem that his timing is particularly impecable, glancing about the apartment and immediately noticing the fact that it would seem he has arrived precisely in the middle of tree decorating time. Nor does it seem that he has caught his old friend alone though he flashes a grin Emiko's way as she emerges from one of the siderooms, appropriately loaded down with glittery goodness. "I do appreciate someone who comes prepared and properly armed," he says lightly as he snags the tossed bar out of mid-air, tearing it open and not wasting anytime taking a bite.

"Hopefully I'm not interrupting family time. But I thought I would pop on in. You know, see how things are going. Haven't seen you around the Hall lately," he says casually.

"Did you want me to finish the tree for you? I can take care of it in a second or two..." he offers slyly, not really serious.

Somethings should be done, enjoyed, at regular speed.

Oliver Queen has posed:
"Don't you even think about it. I'll put an arrow in your knee so fast," Ollie grumbles in retort, glowering at the other man for a moment.

He's joking of course. Probably.

Though it is almost a certainty that he's not looking for any shortcuts with this particular task either. While the Queen Mansion might be a glitteriny wonderland straight out of some designer's mind's eye, this is a little more personal. And while it might not be picture perfect when it's done, well, that just makes it a little better.

Glancing back towards his sister, he flashes a brief smile and turns back towards the rather bare tree, only the lights -- currently still off -- already strung up in place. "Excellent. I knew I had tucked them away somewhere. I'll start stringing up the garland if you want to start sorting the ornaments short stuff," he suggests with a twitch of his lips.

The question about his prolonged absence from the Hall is ignored for a moment, but he does gesture towards the table as well in an unspoken invitation. "There's some treats over there if you need something a little more."

See? He can be hospitable.

Emiko Queen has posed:
"Keeping speedster snacks handy has actually proven useful a time or two," Emiko replies with a brief smirk. "So you're welcome."

She passes the garland and tinsel rolls off to Ollie, rolling her eyes at the 'short stuff' nickname but letting it slide because it is accurate. Then sits down cross-legged amongst the oranaments. "Let him have this Barry, he wants it to be done by hand. Staff beat him to decorating the mansion. Very stunning and flashy, but lacks that." Faux thoughtful pause. "Personal touch."

Barry Allen has posed:
Look, Barry wouldn't actually take away the fun of decorating a Christmas tree -- unless he was asked. Anymore then Oliver would put an arrow in his knee.

Probably.

Still, the speedster flashes a grin towards Emiko as he polishes off that granola bar. "I wouldn't do that to him. Unless he was being particularly difficult," he agrees slyly, shooting his friend a quick look. Like, say, refusing to discuss the elephant in the room.. But probably not even then.

"And yes, it's a pretty good habit to be in. One that I'm sure is much appreciated," he agrees in regards to keeping snacks on hand, the corners of his mouth twitching slightly.

Making his way over to his table, Barry browses the selection of treats already on display. "So. You still sulking over being turned into a pig?"

Sometimes you just gotta rip the bandage off.

Oliver Queen has posed:
The personal touch makes all the difference in the world sometimes. When it comes to Christmas trees that certainly applies. At least it does for Oliver. But then for the most part when he grew up the Mansion always featured a setup carefully curated and approved by his mother.

Perfect, but a little impersonal to be sure.

Stringing that garland around, Ollie slowly circles around the tree, keeping things a little loose, a little sloppy even. While it might be a grey day out, the lights of the apartment make the strand sparkle and by the time it is done he takes a step back and gives a brief, approving nod.

"Not everything has to be picture perfect," he agrees, glancing towards his sister. "And yes, doing it yourself is half the fun," he agrees, starting over to help pick out the ornaments that will hang amidst those lights.

At least until Barry presses the issue. He stiffens just a little even as he kneels down amidst those boxes. "I'm fine," he says shortly. "And I don't sulk."

Though his tone does sound kinda sulky. Just a little.

Emiko Queen has posed:
Emiko Queen has already sorted out a few ornaments by the time Ollie finishes with the garland. It's not anything too complicated, just the smaller and lighter ones for the top half of the tree while the heavier or larger ones can go towards the bottom where they have more support and room.

"It was a Circe. Pigs are a classic with her." She's done her bits of mythology research, after learning there's everything from Amazons to Greek and Norse gods running around the world at times. "Besides, there's worse animals you could be turned into. You ever look up 'blobfish' on the internet?"

Barry Allen has posed:
"Magic sucks," Barry agrees, selecting out one of the holiday treats and casually starting to munch on it, leaning back against the table and turning to face the other two present as they continue to work on the tree, folding arms across his chest as he looks on.

"Well, depending on who's doing the casting," he quickly clarifies. He doesn't need Zatanna or Dr. Fate suddenly appearing and zotting him for his presumption. "Ancient demi-goddesses with an animal-fetish and a hangup for evil suck at any rate," he amends, eyes flickering towards his old friend.

"It's not like it would have worked out any differently for the rest of us. Sooner or later we all run into something we can't handle, or just have bad luck. An off-night. That's why it's good to work with others. Someone has your back."

Oliver Queen has posed:
Of course what they're saying makes perfect sense.

There are some things that you can't anticipate, that you can't plan for or prepare for. They're just going to happen in the heat of the battle and one best hope that one has good friends and allies watching your back. And while Oliver might understand that, know that instinctively the fact of the matter is that it happened to him.

No harm, no foul. They were right there to make sure that the situation didn't turn out any worse. But it remains an example of the type of threats that the League has to deal with on a regular basis.

And he's a guy with a bow.

"I get it," he says flatly, picking out a few of the lighter ornaments. "I'll leave the bottom of the tree to you," he says to Emiko, a brief smile flashing across his features once more as he clambers back to his feet, moving to start hanging his chosen ornaments on the higher branches.

"Look, it made me question a few things. About where and how I can do the most good. No biggie," he asserts.

Emiko Queen has posed:
Even Emiko who excels at tactical and situational analysis cannot contend for every possibility. Though much like her brother she is slow to admit such things. That seems to be a Queen family thing, you don't bring up your own problems until someone is giving you a talking to over them.

"That is only natural," she replies to Ollie as she picks up a few of the lower branch ornaments and gets to her feet. Ollie gets away with poking fun at her height mostly because 1) he's her brother and 2) he knows how much 'judge me by my size not' can apply to her. "The world is always changing. Especially for those of us that deal with things outside of the normal. If we don't adapt as well, we get left behind."

A pause. "Though yes, magic when it is used for nefarious means definitely sucks."