343/Afterparty at Joe's

Afterparty at Joe's
Date of Scene:	07 March 2020
Location:	Joe's Restaurant and Cafe
Synopsis:	Three Happy Harbor students meet at Joe's for a little discussion after the School Meet & Greet
Cast of Characters:	Christine Lake, Alton Schmidt, Xiomara Rojas

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Christine Lake has posed:
After the meeting at the high school, Christine is looking for something more substantial to eat than the cocktail fare offered, as well as wind down a bit. So, she's at Joe's, sitting in one of the booths. She's got a glass of ice tea in front of her and sipping it while waiting for her order to arrive.

Alton Schmidt has posed:
Alton shows up here, on his own. Mostly because was no fan of cafeteria food, and he had the money to basically eat wherever he wanted. So...he shows up here for better cuisine. He also notices Christine again.

"Hey. Did you see that? Tony Stark actually showed up. I don't know if he's gonna get Cap to show up later, but still, wow..."

Xiomara Rojas has posed:
    That little dustup at the end of the evening is clearly still on Xiomara's mind as she steps into Joe's "Yo, Kelly." she says to the night server- a lovely lady named Kelly, "Can I gets some coffee, black, and some of that pecan pie?" she wonders, as she pulls a wad of bills out of her pocket. She's still under the inducer- so not in her natural skin. Looking very much like some punky latin chick.

    Her thoughts turn back to that bully, and she grinds her teeth. "Sooo lucky the Doc were there..." She says to herself.

Christine Lake has posed:
"Yeah!" Christine says to Alton. She waves him over to the booth. "I don't know if Captain America has the time to visit our school, but it would be totally awesome if he did! Still, just having Tony Stark there was amazing!" She's clearly impress with the level of connections the school has.

Seeing Xiomara walk in and head for a stool, Christine, ever the socialite, goes over to the punk-ish girl. "Ummm, hey," she greets. "What you did at the end there, helping that kid that was being bullied? That was really awesome. Not alot of others would get involved in something like that." She motions to the booth where she and Alton are, adding, "You'remore than welcome to join us, if you'd like."

Alton Schmidt has posed:
Alton actually agrees. "If I'd noticed it sooner, I'd have done something similar myself. By all means, please join us." Not the same, of course...Alton simply isn't strong enough to smash people like that. But he has...alternative methods. He scooches in to make room for Xio on his side of the table.

Alton figures, "It'll probably be a few months before we get Cap...maybe towards the end of the year. They'd have to cover for him on the Avengers and Tony is already distracted by running for president."

Xiomara Rojas has posed:
    Xiomara looks over to Christine as she offers her company. There's a moment of thought. "Ain't nothin'. Just don't like bullies." she explains, as she gets her pie- with whipped cream and black coffee. She pauses another moment before turning to join Christine and Alton.

    She slides in next to Alton. Pie and coffee there in front of her. "Why's it matter if Captain America comes to the school?" she asks of the two. "You don't think he's got more important things to do than to visit a bunch of idiot kids?" she wonders of the pair. "I mean.. dude's still punchin' nazis, ain't he?"

Christine Lake has posed:
Christine slides back into the booth, taking a drink of her tea. "Well...sure he's got more important things to do," she replies, looking a bit confused. "But that doesn't mean that we can't hope to meet him, right? I mean, it's the potential that it could happen that's exciting. If he doesn't, that's fine. But if he does...that would be *amazing*!"

The waitress arrives with Christine's order of a club sandwich with a side salad, then asks Alton if he'd like anything.

"Anyways," Christine says to Xiomara after she's done with her bite. "I'm Christine. This is Alton. What's your name?"

Alton Schmidt has posed:
Why's it important? "...It's important because Cap is what every hero aspires to be. And Cap does so much more than punch Nazis. Hell, he's punched Loki in the nose a few times. And ya know what Loki is? ...A bully. He's just an Asgardian bully with lots of magic."

Alton goes on, with, "This world is full of bullies, and not all of them are random kids being jerks. Some of them have powers. Some of them even kill people. Somebody's gotta stop those bullies. Cap does that. The Avengers do that. The Justice League did that, when it was still a thing."

Xiomara Rojas has posed:
    "Crush." The young woman answers. "Yeah, so that makes my point. He's got more important shit to do than to visit a high school with a bunch of idiot kids in it." she says again. "And I don't give a hot shit who Loki or no-one else is." she continues. "Ain't none of that matter none at all."

    "What matters is only what you do." Crush says, before digging into her pie. "You do the right thing cuz it's the right thing. Not because some Captain America done it before you."

Christine Lake has posed:
Christine nods along with Alton; he's making lots of sense. Then Crush has her say. Christine smiles at the introduction and gives the bigger girl a smirk. "Crush? I'm guessing you gave yourself that name? Or is there an actual birth certificate floating out there marked 'Sex: Female; First Name: Crush'?" She eats some more of her sandwich before continuing.

"You know, I agree with both of you." She points to Crush. "You're right that we need to do things becasue they're the right thing to do." She then points at Alton. "You're right that we need inspirational role models to follow." Pause to drink. "But it's not as simple as either-or. Sometimes, we know the right thing to do, but we don't try to do it becasue we think we're all alone. We don't ave any allies. And yeah, that shouldn't stop us, but it does. So, sometimes we need those heroes to give us a push, to let us know that yes, we are doing the right thing. Some of us don't need that push, like Crush. And some of us do to get through the hard parts of life. I know I sure do, sometimes."

Alton Schmidt has posed:
Alton considers for a while...and then has a few more things to say, "If there's no great glorious end to all this, if nothing we do matters...then all that matters is what we do. 'Cause that's all there is. What we do. Now. Today."

"All I wanna do is help. I wanna help because, I don't think people should suffer as they do. Because, if there's no bigger meaning, then the smallest act of kindness is the greatest thing in the world." Maybe that'll get his thought across.

Xiomara Rojas has posed:
    "It's what I likes to do. Crush. Gets me into trouble, but I likes trouble, so works for me." She explains, a few more bites of pie. "Mm. Maybe." she takes another few moments, eating pie. Sipping her black coffee and thinking on what Christine's said. On what Alton has said.

    "People is always gunna suffer." Crush replies . "People is always gunna hurt. That's just how the world is." she shrugs quietly. "And the peoples you think is bad ain't always bad. Drug dealers is sometimes just tryin' to feed their kids." she looks between the two, "Even that bully probably got a problem somewhere- probably ain't a bad kid. Just needs a lesson to know that he ain't the biggest guy around. That someone else ain't gunna let him just do whatever he wants to do."

    "You ain't gunna stop human sufferin' though. People make it for themselves. Best anyone can do is just try to help, I guess. Still ain't gunna stop it. Just gotta do right cuz it's the right thing. What other peoples do don't matter none. Just what you do."

Christine Lake has posed:
"Maybe," Christine says to Crush in agreement. Another bite of the sandwich gone. "But that doesn't mean you stop trying to get rid of suffering while you can, right? I mean, yeah. You're only in control of and responsible for your own actions. But what's wrong with choosing actions that inspire others to take action themselves? Isn't that just as important for Captain America to do as punching Nazis? When he does these appearances, talks to us idiot kids...maybe he's laying the seeds for the next Captain America. Or Iron Man. Or Superman. Or Wonder Woman. Isn't taking time to speak and inspire others just as important at times?"

Alton Schmidt has posed:
Alton sighs, looks at the clock. "...I gotta go. But...ya know...if you wanna put your money where your mouth is...why don't you meet me tonight, Crush? In New York. We'll...see how well it goes."

He grins widely, and adds, "Dress appropriately. It's going to be a...intensive night."

Alton finishes his meal, and then heads out....

Xiomara Rojas has posed:
    "That guy must be an idiot if he thinks I'mma go with him to New York to bust heads." Crush says to herself as she finishes her pie. "Ain't smart just yet. The Doc wouldn't like it." she says with a slow inhale, "Just stupid."

Christine Lake has posed:
Christine shrugs and finishes another bite. "Yeah, I gess she would be upset at a student going to...what? An underground fight club or something? That's what he meant by 'an intensive night', right?" She doesn't sound like she's clueless, but she's just not putting 2 + 2 together the way Crush has. She looks back at Alton as he exits the diner. "I guess he can take care of himself, right? He looks like he can handle a fight."

Xiomara Rojas has posed:
    "Sure hope so, ain't gunna be me draggin' his ass outta the fire." Crush says as she leans back to sip her coffee. "And no. I think he means to fight some bad men there, Christine. Or at least try. Kinda makes sense- got that hero worship thing goin' on between Tony Stark and Captain America."

    Crush just gives a grin over to Christine, "You think he had them Superman bedsheets growin' up?"

Christine Lake has posed:
Christine rolls her eyes at the idea of Alton being a vigilante. Although it makes some sense. Hmmmm... When Crush speculates on Alton's bedsheets, Christine giggles and nods. "I mean...I'm not one to throw shade on that. I had Wonder Woman sheets in Junior High," she confesses. "A little hero worship is okay, I guess. Just as long as he doesn't take it too far." Now, she gets concerned for Alton. "You...don't think he's giong to take it too far, do you?"

Xiomara Rojas has posed:
    "Hmm." Crush frowns a bit, "...Shit." she shakes her head, "That moron is going to get his ass creamed, ain't he." Crush just looks a little angry, "Goddamnit. Guess I gotta go and make sure he don't do nothin' stupid." she growls, "But, that'll be tomorrow. For now- I'mma head back home and get some rest."

Christine Lake has posed:
Christine sighs, now worried about Alton. But, with no transportation, there's nothing she can do. "I hope he'll be alright...." She manages a smile and waves to Crush. "See you later. Nice meeting you and hanging out. "

Xiomara Rojas has posed:
"Yeah. See you around, Christine.." Crush offers, and out the door she goes. Who knows to where.