1780/A Rose by any other cafe..

A Rose by any other cafe..
Date of Scene:	21 May 2020
Location:	Red Rose Cafe
Synopsis:	The old gang gets together, and everyone agrees flaming arrows are bad.
Cast of Characters:	Conner Kent, Tim Drake, Cassie Sandsmark, Rose Wilson

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Conner Kent has posed:
It has been again and while since the old gang meet to catchup and pizza. Why is now so hard when it was so easy just a couple days ago? Life is getting weirder... no, that is impossible. Maybe they are adult-ing too much.

Bart never missed a pizza outing, and he is not here!

But Rose is. Which is a rare, rare thing since she left them to follow her own, darker path. But the white-haired young woman seems to have settled in the area. Tim probably knows about her hideout in Gotham, because... bats.

It was Conner who suggest to meet in Gotham, since Cassie and himself can fly there in minutes. It was Tim who picked the place, though. This is his territory. And pizza in a gangster restaurant? That is so very Gotham.

Conner, as usual, is late.

Tim Drake has posed:
Late Conner doesn't stop the ordering of pie from happening, and one of the four-tops at the Red Rose already has a pair of large, freshly made pizzas having just been dropped off by one of the waitstaff. Tim is halfway through his first glass of soda, already eyeballing a second, not waiting on Conner. He'll get here when he does. Tim grabs a oozing slice of pepperoni and drops it on his plate, sprinkling red pepper and parmesan on it. "Man. It's been a bit." Obviously, he's Tim right now, not his Robin-esque alter ego, but he's with the small crew outside the Bats he's entrusted with that particular secret. Given all their particular proclivities. "How's things, Rose, Cassie?"

Cassie Sandsmark has posed:
A fairly vague relationship with schedules is something Cassie shares, but in this case, she's actually pretty eager to meet up with everyone. Also, they're going out for food and Tim is buying (the best thing about knowing people in the Batfam), so she has some additional incentive. Like Tim, her manner of dress is casual although for here there's not a great deal of distance between her 'working' getup and her street clothes. For instance, she owns a LOT of t-shirts with Wonder Woman branding. This one is black with just a stylized double-W. The only real difference is that the lasso and assorted jewelry aren't visible anywhere. She's seated in front of a fairly devastated spread of food & sugary drink.

"Pretty good! I'm really glad to be back. Training camp on the island was cool, but also, like, seriously -intense- you know? And they don't get internet." A good thing too. The horrors of the internet would probably cause a pre-emptive Amazons Attack (tm) and no one ever wants that. "But I'm official now. Even my mom has -sorta- agreed to put up with it."

Rose Wilson has posed:
It might be those darker proclivities that makes Rose so much more tense, it might be that she's not a fan of pepperoni pizza, or the gangsters in the cafe that cause it. Because maybe, just maybe, she's aware of those rumors and going against a Falcone might be her idea of a good time.

The goons in the back get openly watched, and she tucks a piece of pepperoni into her mouth as she does so.

Relaxed is not something she does particularly well, but she's at least not openly sporting any weapons. It's a good bet there's at least five somewhere close at hand hidden somewhere on her person though, one thing nice about leather jackets is they can hide a weapon Very Well. But otherwise, she's sporting the casual look of most teenagers, jeans and a t-shirt. "Things are fine." She glances at Cassie, brows furrowing slightly, "How intense?"

Conner Kent has posed:
"Hey guys," Conner slides in, casual-like. Jeans and t-shirt, and the eternal leather jacket. Well, a fairly new leather jacket, because he runs through them pretty quickly. The best leather jacket is not made for super-powered brawls.

"Sorry I'm late," me adds, not sounding neither sorry nor guilty, just vaguely polite. "Got busy with a Thing," he finds a seat, and reaches for a pizza slide. He is not very late if there is still hot pizza on the table, right? "So, what's up?"

Tim Drake has posed:
"Not much," Tim grins as Conner joins them, offering a fist to bump. "Intense training, huh, Cassie? Like, running laps and pushups training, or dodging flaming arrows while jumping across a chasm intense?" He's mostly... mostly... joking. Maybe. And if Rose is armed, it's not like Tim's going to say much, unless she actually starts shooting Falcone's goons back there, in which case he's probably in trouble if he doesn't stop her. Sigh. The responsibility of being the responsible one. "Should we get some garlic knots, too? I mean, since Conner's here, and all, to help."

Cassie Sandsmark has posed:
How intense. Hmm. Rose's question is actually kind of a tricky one when you're seated at a table with mercenary ninja-spawn and Bat-people. The standards for training are kind of different. "I'd say it was pretty hardcore stuff, but the hardest thing I ever had to do before that was like, High School gym class, so I dunno...." Fortunately, Tim gives Cassie an actual SCALE to work with. "Well, I never had to do the flaming arrows and the chasm at the same time, but otherwise, that sounds about right. And there were pushups too." She makes a face. Somehow they're extra insulting added on top of the crazy stuff.

"Hey Conner," she calls as their late arrival makes his appearance, gesturing at the sprawl of food with a grin. "I -think- we left you a couple slices." But she upnods Tim's suggestion. "I could go for some!" With the food settled, and her vacation to lady land elaborated on, she turns to looking around the table at the rest of them. "What about you guys? Do anything fun? Beat up anyone cool?"

Rose Wilson has posed:
"Flaming arrows are the worst." Maybe chasms are negotiable. But flaming arrows? The Worst. "The smell of burning flesh and hair..." Rose starts to elaborate, but then remembers that not everyone is on the same messed up level she is. Or cares to be.

So instead she glances at Conner, then shrugs her shoulders before she points out, "Garlic knots are fine. But what is it helping for?" She straightens up, scanning for the waitress before shaking her head, "There was this warehouse full of ninja a while back, but that wasn't really anything cool."

Conner Kent has posed:
"More food is good," agrees Conner, fist-bumping Tim with his free fist. The other hand is for pizza. Cassie and Rose are talking about chasms and flaming arrows and get a bemused glance. Most be a ninja-amazon thing.

"I was in Metro during the shadow thing deal," mentions Conner, munching the pizza slice. "An, uh... Superman is back." So yeah. That guy. The one everyone told Conner was like old-him. And Superman made the cape thing work, somehow. Conner sticks to leather jackets.

Also, he has not talked to him yet, which is lame. And he fully expects Rose to smack him if she finds out.

Tim Drake has posed:
Yeah, so, Tim is not the best for reading that kind of thing. "Yeah, I heard he's back," he says. Bats. "Have you talked to him yet?" Under that bus. Ka-thump ka-thump. Another slice of pizza, and as a waitress comes by to check on them, more sodas, garlic knots, another pizza. Four-cheese. Yes. Oh, also... one of those 'dessert pizzas' with the berry topping. Yesssss.

Cassie Sandsmark has posed:
"Yeah I am NOT a fan," Cassie quite readily agrees with Rose, as the arrows are concerned. There are many things to dislike about pointy on-fire things being shot at you. As for the warehouse adventure? "Just ninjas? Lame," she commiserates. Faceless ninja hordes are kind of the generic, off-brand version of heroic villainy. "Did they at least have some master ninja who was way stronger than the hundred who came before him?" Conservation of ninjutsu is a thing.

Naturally, given lack of specialness in ninja-fighting, she's a bit more curious about the shadow stuff. "Yeah, what happened with all of that? I saw some of it on my feed when I got back, Superman, all that stuff. I'm sure Diana's talked to him, too." Which paves the way for a bit of a team-up effort when she echoes after Tim, "So like, I'm sure it would be easy for you two to get in touch. You gonna say hi? Introduce yourself? Ask him what's up? 'Hey, are you my alien daddy?'" Nudge nudge. Only the dessert pizza is a distraction from the joy found in harassing a friend about uncomfortable personal matters!

Rose Wilson has posed:
"Have you talked to him?" It's not just a double-sided attack, this is a three-pronged attack as Rose chips in on it, turning her attention towards Conner as well.

But to answer Cassie there is a shake of her head, "No. But there was an archer dude and his friend there, and another guy I didn't recognize." So she was not there, fighting the hordes of ninjas on her own. Which makes is far more lame.

Conner Kent has posed:
"I am working on it," is all Conner has to say about talking to the big S guy. "As for he shadows thing, it was some kind of demon allergic to mirrors and light. It wanted to eat Metro and have Gotham for desserts. So, some science guys built a big laser and Green Lantern used giant green mirrors."

Bear with him, he missed half of the reasoning and all the previous investigation done by mystics and detectives. Plus, he doesn't like magic much.

Tim Drake has posed:
"Sooooo what I'm hearing is 'I didn't because I'm totally afraid that either he IS my alien spacedaddy, or I'm afraid he's NOT my alien spacedaddy'. I mean, guy seems pretty stand-up, so I'm sure even if it's not the case he'll totally help you figure out who is." Or whatever. Tim slurps his soda. "Basically, big C, I think you just need to take a deep breath and do it." He jerks a thumb towards Rose. "Or she's probably going to kick your ass all over Gotham and Metropolis until you do." He then points to Cassie. "OR even worse, she's gonna tell //HER//, and she'll tell him, and he'll show up and laser eye you to the face." Okay, probably not entirely true, but he's egging Conner a bit.

Cassie Sandsmark has posed:
"Science machines and giant energy mirrors aren't exactly in my job description. So guess I didn't miss TOO much."

Of course, Tim is willing to keep his foot on the pedal of this metaphorical bus. And while the phrasing makes Cassie grin (and yes, laugh a little at the Jerry Springer-esque description), she's also the one who eventually pumps the breaks. "Ok, ok, I think he gets the point," Cassie declares, apparently taking one from the Wonder playbook and going peacemaker. "Although he's right that, well, it will probably get back to him ANYWAY, and he might come looking for you if you don't go first. Anyway, you know we're here if you need any moral support, or wanna talk about it or something. I happen to know a thing or two about having a weird super-dad, after all." This provokes another sidelong glance among the others. OK fine, mostly at Rose. Tim is the Bat-kid with the relatively normal parents. Still, weird daddy issues are not uncommon to the superhero set!

"Any idea who the bow-dude was?" she wonders at Rose, more offhandedly. "Actually, I met a girl who does archery, when Donna took me to meet some of her team. She seemed pretty cool, and kinda into my Amazon stuff. Though really, -you- should come visit sometime, Rose."

Rose Wilson has posed:
Double-dose of weird daddy issues when your super-dad is also a super-villain, but it is something that she can empathize with. Even if her dad isn't some Olympian sort of God-dude.

That's another kettle of fish that Rose thinks about, and she offers, "I think I met a cousin of yours. Talks about irritating uncles and likes goats."

That tid-bit shared, she shakes her head at Cassie's question about if she knows who the arrow dude was. "No one I recognized, but that doesn't mean much. Plus, not sure I'm Amazon-visit approved."

Conner Kent has posed:
Conner gives Tim a sour glance. "I am. Working. On it." He repeats. Yes, it is not easy to go talk your super-dad, okay? They should know better than most. Batman is Tim's superdad, Conner is not fooled. Moreover, his 'super-dad' has been dead all his ´life´. All three years of it.

Three years ago, he would have run to meet him, punch him and steal his cape. No, wait. Maybe not the punching. But he was reckless and had no common sense. Not like now. Well, worse than now.

Truth is, he has no freaking idea of what to tell the Kryptonian. And he is not really his dad, just an unwitting genetic donor.

He will think about it while gorging on pizza and brooding at his corner of the table.

Tim Drake has posed:
"Touchy." Tim gives his friend a grin anyway. "But all right, you're working on it." He devours another slice of pizza as the garlic knots and dessert pizza and cheese pizza arrive. "I hope you're hungry," he points out. "But yeah. So, we really should do this more often. Especially with Cassie not on Scary Lady Island anymore." He tosses her a grin too. He's mostly picking. "And Rose, it is good to see you. Seriously."

Cassie Sandsmark has posed:
"You'll figure it out, Conner," is Cassie's last bit of supportive encouragement. Otherwise, she lets him brood.

Turning back to Rose: "Yeah, for sure I'd have to ask. But you'd be surprised, I think, how you'd fit in. Don't let Diana fool you, she's the ambassador for a reason. But her people are hardcore warriors, y'know? So I don't think anyone would count any of your..." And she just makes a vague hand-gesture. Something to indicate whatever darker side Rose possesses. "... well, history, whatever, against you. Heck, knowing them, they'd blame your dad and welcome you to the sisterhood." The separation from 'Man's World' isn't just symbolic, after all.

Which makes Tim's 'Scary Lady Island' comment well-timed. She still rolls her eyes at it a little, but goes for a berry slice with gusto. "I always have room for dessert. This is fun though, I'm always cool to come out to Gotham and chill a bit. You got any other plans besides that? Like, tracking down people more interesting than ninjas to beat up?"

Rose Wilson has posed:
No one is shocked that Rose is the least supportive of him taking it easy, and that he's got this. She just looks at Conner for a moment before she turns her attention back to staring at the goons.

Just for a moment, at least. Then she gives Cassie a look, one that is just mildly baffled by this suggestion of sisterhood, and warriors. Well, more sisterhood. "My dad taught me to fight." And so many other things! But no one needs her to go on about that when there are things like plans being brought up. "I've thought about it, but mostly it depends on some things."

Which is when she so very slowly nods in the goons direction. Look, Tim! Bad guys to jump. Small ones, less cool even than ninjas.

Tim Drake has posed:
Tim shakes his head slightly. "Right now I'm Tim Drake-Wayne, adopted son of Bruce Wayne," he says in an undertone. "Gonna be real awkward to explain to 'Dad' why I'm on the news for punching Falcone's goons. And also, I really don't want Falcone having a reason to come after Bruce and my siblings." Look, it's very possible they may suspect Tim's adopted dad is also Red Robin's mentor, but it's not exactly common knowledge. "We don't pick fights out of costume, Rose."

Cassie Sandsmark has posed:
"Yeah I know, and dads are complicated. They're just uh, well, you see they... You know what? We'll circle back to this one." The militant matriarchy can be a topic for another day! For now, Cassie is content with dessert pizza and friends. As for the vaguely implied suggestion of beating up people across the pizza shop, she looks like she maybe gives it more serious thought than Tim does, but ultimately seems less than enthusiastic herself. If for a different reason: "I don't know, they don't look like they'd really be much of a fight anyway. Even if they're badguys, it still kinda feels like bullying." See? She'll just attack the Falcone family with /mad disrespect/.

"I mean more, like, using all your detective-ing to find out what's going on, and once you find something, maybe handle that. I'm sure there's gotta be stuff going on that could use a couple people to tackle vs. just swinging around and doing yourself."

Rose Wilson has posed:
"I didn't say we did it now. That'd be reckless."

Rose shoves a garlic knot into her mouth, looking back at Cassie, then back at Tim. She said detectiving. That means that the conversational weight can be shifted over to someone better at it then Rose is, because detectiving is so his thing. "Yeah...what about it?" She dogpiles on Tim now that Conner and Superman is a dead topic.

Tim Drake has posed:
"All right, all right. There are always someone up to some kind of no good, and I'm sure my superior detective skills can find them for the rest of you to handle the light work of punching, while I supervise." Tim jokes about that latter. "And Rose, come on. Falcone would pee himself if he thought you or your Dad even knew his name." Come to think of it, that could be hilarious.

Cassie Sandsmark has posed:
The whole team-up attack tactic does cut both ways, and Cassie grins a bit as they put the pressure on him, staring expectantly until he gives in. "Pretty much sounds like the plan. Glad you know who does the heavy lifting around here." Not only does the bright smile continue with that latter jab, but she even makes a point of holding out an arm to flex. She may look a -tiny- bit more in shape than when she left, for the sake of the abovementioned Amazonian fire-arrow-chasm nightmare, but really it isn't all that noticable. So her arm is not quite Herculean, despite the obvious parallels. Even she seems to notice, making a little face. "Hmm."

Rose Wilson has posed:
"Good. Then when we leave, I'll leave a note for him." Rose replies, looking satisfied with this possibility before she leans back in her seat. With a plan in place to make Falcone piss himself, she seems far more relaxed. "Is there someone on your radar, Tim?"

Tim Drake has posed:
Tim frowns. "Well... I'm not sure. What I mean by that is I've got a thing I've been looking into, but I don't know how serious it is or if it's even worth our time. But I will dig some more." He can be like a dog with a bone, worrying at the strings of various things until he uncovers something. His mood shifts a bit from jovial to distant.

Cassie Sandsmark has posed:
While Cassie is not down with throwing the demigoddess beatdown on a bunch of random stooges who are, probably, just out to enjoy some pizza like they are... this does NOT mean she seems to have any moral objection to Rose's more trollsome approach. She may be Wonder Woman's student, but her sense of ethics (and humor) is a little more 2020 Current Year Argument. "Ohmygod, they probably WILL piss themselves, haha." Totally hilarious possible murder! Well, she probably doesn't assume it will go that far, but still.

Tim's vagueanswer earns an appropriately skeptical browraise: "How very super secret." Such a Bat-thing. "Well, when you figure it out, just gimme a text. I probably gotta get back soon before there's drama." Superhero business? No, she still lives with her mom.

Rose Wilson has posed:
A thumb is jerked in Cassie's direction, "What she said." Better question, though, might be if Rose is going to wear her good girl hat that day or not. But she's at least honestly interested in what Tim might be thinking about.

When Cassie makes her goodbyes, she nods, "Have fun at home." Then she turns her attention back to stealing as many of the garlic knots as she can before other people eat them.