3713/RecRoomOlympics!

From Heroes Assemble MUSH
Jump to navigation Jump to search
RecRoomOlympics!
Date of Scene: 06 October 2020
Location: Level 4 - Recreation - The Roost
Synopsis: Carrie Kelley makes a better acquaintence of Phoebe Beacon. The Gothamites talk Timelines, dating, and motorcycles.
Cast of Characters: Phoebe Beacon, Carrie Kelley




Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    The Rec Room, favorite hang-out place and unwinding spot of the young team of Superheroes called the Outsiders, a group to go where the more notable superheroes cannot.

     Notable among them, oddly... were how many were from Gotham itself!

    ONe such Gotham Native, Phoebe Beacon -- the healer known as Balm -- was currently mid-study, surrounded by books. She has a primer on American Literature to her left, page opened to a big picture of Mark Twain and descriptions of literature in the post Civil-War South. In front of her there was a thick notebook, a red pen on top of the page as a paused lecture hung out on the tablet screen, and to the right?

    The Idiot's Guide to Motorcycles, checked out from a local branch of the Gotham Public Library.

    Outside it was drizzling, and Phoebe had a chunky, pumpkin-orange shrug on, her hair pulled back into neat braids, dark eyes engrossed in the book.

Carrie Kelley has posed:
There were days when it was just good to hang out and enjoy a hot cup of hot chocolate. Away from the worries and stresses of work and the world in general. Today was one such day as Carrie, the vigilante known as Sparrow, opts to hang out instead of work. She needed an off day for awhile. Dressed in leggings, rather big comfy socks that went halfway up her calf, and an oversized grey sweatshirt she comes into the rec room with a cup of said cocoa cupped between her hands.

Spying Phoebe she raises an eyebrow at the myriad arranagement of books and tablet with bemusement. This wasn't an unfamiliar sight by now. Chuckling she strolls closer to peek at what was being studied.

"Need help? Or a break?" The mug is lifted to her lips to take a little sip and she's quick to lick away the whipped cream left behind. "There is such a thing as over studying."

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    "No such thing as overstudying." Phoebe replies, and gives a wry smile, and leans her head back as she brings her palm up. "But yeah, could use a break. Thirty minutes with Sam, thirty minutes with Grey's, thirty minutes with questions about the legality of certain CC motors on light bikes -- time for at least twenty minutes of hanging out." the highschooler responds to Carrie from her place on the floor in front of the couch.

    "How are things, Carrie?" she questions in a friendly tone.

    The Idiot's Guide to Motorcycles was set to a page about hard breaking.

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Carrie Kelley chuckles quietly in response as she moves to sink down on the edge of the couch beside Phoebe. Carefully so as to not upset the contents of her mug. "I'm all right. Been a rough few weeks for the Bats, but..." She shrugs here not giving any more details than necessary on that. It was a time to relax after all. Another glance is given to the motorcycle book thoughtfully.

"You know, there's a moto-racing game on the system we could play for awhile. Might help give you an idea how some of the functions work in a more enjoyable way," she suggests. "And I'm not just suggesting because I'm awesome at that game."

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    "I can understand." Phoebe replies, her shoulders drawing up, "though I'm afraid I'm on the outside looking in, in that case."

    She looks to the book, and with a slight blush she rubs the back of her head, and she gives a laugh. "I could give it a shot, though I'm not sure how well I'll do translating throttle and shift to a video game!" she grins. She laces her dark hands together, palms out, and stretches her arms. "All right, so... you'll have to tell me how to play. I usually just do... ah... Assassin's Creed type stuff."

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Carrie Kelley laughs far more warmly as she reaches behind her to the console table stuffed behind the couch for the controllers. One is offered to Phoebe while she hits the necessary buttons to start the system and turn the TV on. "It's pretty simple for the most part. And you're right, it doesn't really translate to the game for the most part, but that doesn't mean it's not fun. You do have to keep your speed and angle in mind for jumps but it's mostly just..."

She pauses, showing the trigger with a wingle of her finger beneath. "Brakes." And her thumb circles over the joystick. "Throttle, and the other is direction."

With that breif explanation she grins impishly gesturing at Phoebe to make her vehicle selection out of the many options on the screen.

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    Phoebe purses her lips, and accepts the controller dubiously, and she shakes her head as she stands up and sits on the couch, in order to get a better look at the scree. She taps the buttons lightly, saying the functions of the buttons, and then she gives a nod -- and chooses the most outrageously bright stupid orange-and-lime-green bike in the lineup, giving a soft 'mwa ha ha, I am a kumquat!'

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Carrie Kelley bites her lip to repress a laugh at that soft remark. It was indeed quite brightly colored. Conversely she chooses one that's a dirt brown and red with stickers on the tank. Nothing outrageous but a suitable basic motocross bike for the game.

The music starts up and like most racing games it gives an overview of the course before zoomin back to show the racers at the starting line. And... Go!

Carrie's bike peels out with a kick of dirt as it launches forward and down a hill heading for one of the slopes that would allow for a jump over a small divot in the path. For the first few moments of the game she's quiet, letting Phoebe get the hang of the controls. It really isn't that hard a game.

Then...

"Which grip controls the rear brake?"

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    Trick question, rear brake on most motorcycles are the right pedal; front brake's controlled on the right handle." Phoebe gives a slight grin, leaning forward a little as her eyes narrow. She listens to the sound of all the motorcycles going on their screen, her lips pursing.

    "THough I imagine there's customizations?"

Carrie Kelley has posed:
"There are, but you're right," Carrie agrees as she leans to the side along with the turn for her bike. It wasn't necessary but it was the typical gamer habit of getting into the game a bit much. Old habits die hard especially when it's one you weren't even trying to break. Having wireless controllers was so much nicer without worrying about tugging a wire free from such motions.

"Don't worry about customizations though. Most every bike after 1970 is built to a standard code so that they're uniform in function. Unless you're riding an older cycle, you'll be right about ninety-eight percent of the time."

"How's the best way to handle going over a railroad crossing?"

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    Phoebe also leans into the curve, her eyes set on the screen. She's content coming up a b it behind Carrie as they play, her bright orange tack showing against the motled whites and blacks of the NPC bikers.

    "Aah, at a slight angle, so that you don't get bucked off the bike, or get anything stuck?" she tries to recall, her lips pursing as her dark eyes narrow, her fingers stretched a moment before she guns it, trying to take Carrie's place at the head of the pack!

Carrie Kelley has posed:
"Also so at least one wheel at a time retains traction to the road," Carrie adds in to the otherwise correct answer. With Phoebe on her heels having picked the admittedly faster bike, it's up to skill to try and stay in the lead. The tip of her tongue tucks into the corner of her lips as she concentrates while trying to ponder the next question.

Of course, it didn't all have to be work and study as she had pointed out. It was just a good idea to quiz her on the topic while she was also distracted to see how much information had stuck with the girl. A little grin comes as she pops off the next question:

"Do you think Conner is cute?"

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    "He's all right, I mean, dark hair, blue eyes, he's attractive, I guess?" she questions, and she thinks she has the angle, and she guns it, cutting accross the path to try and take Carrie out of the lead!

    "Seems he has a thing for redheads though soooo I'm out of the running." she gives a slight grin.

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Carrie Kelley ffts quietly when she pushes ahead. The difference in the bike stats make it possible even though Carrie tries to bring her bike over to block the path. With the terrain it makes it hard though and it's only a few moments before she's playing chicken with a mud hole. Veering away with a sigh so she doesn't tank out in the mud she hits the ramp on the other side leaving it free and clear for Phoebe to take the lead.

"I wouldn't say that. Redheads are a thing a lot of guys like. For some it's just a phase. But, anyway."

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    Giving a slight smile, Phoebe lets off the gas, thinking she's got a comfortable lead, but always someone out there who's hungry for the win --

    "... besides, like I told Tim, I can't really... date anyone. My aura makes people feel good, so I'd never know if they liked me for me, or because they like getting second-hand heals." she replies breezily.

    "Y'know what I mean? And most people wouldn't even have an idea of it happening unless I told them. How's *that* fair?"

Carrie Kelley has posed:
"Well that sucks," Carrie agrees with a little frown and sidelong glance toward Phoebe. That was something she hadn't known about the girl. And it did suck. Her attention shifts quickly back to the screen though. Always ready to take a chance she guns it the moment that Phoebe lets up. Darn if she wasn't gonna give her best at this game, even if it was a game.

"I guess the best way to tell would be to actually tell the person. Then spend some time away from them. If they still want to be with you, knowing that you might be influencing them... I mean, being aware can go a long way. Though I guess it doesn't matter much right now. Just something to consider in the future."

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    The drawback of her power seemed to not upset Phoebe that much. She keeps her focus on the game, leaning a little into the surves.

    "It's not so bad. Babies always like me, most dogs like me. I get along well with people, and it appears even other Gothamites aren't immune." she jokes, "... thought you might be, given, y'know, Gotham. But if my power goes a ways into conditioning people into some Pavlovian stuff to associate the good feels with love, then what's the point? I'm both Eros *and* Psyche."

    "Can you imagine me going into sales rather than into crime fighting? I'd make a mint!"

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Carrie Kelley chuckles faintly at that. The game comes to an end with the victory lap made, so she sets the controller back into her lap. "I don't know, it might not affect me. I'm actually not from this dimension. While mostly the same there's some differences on an atomic level I'm sure. At least," she reasons tipping her head at Phoebe, "I don't think I've felt anything weird myself."

"Oh yeah, definitely. Maybe you could get into psychology and get the bad guys at Arkham starting to feel good and be good."

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    "Uuuuuuuuh... nnnooo. I hear bad things about the people who purposefully go into Arkham." Phoebe states, and she purses her lips as she looks over to Carrie.

    "Not from this dimension? So... you a traveler or kinda... got stuck here?" she questions.

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Carrie Kelley lifts her hand to wobble a bit at that. "No, it was due to an accident in a lab while I was trying to help free someone. Not sure how I got here. Just here now. Been here for enough years that it's not much different, though apparenty my timeline was in the future. I've had enough instances occur to know I'm not in the past though. Too bad, would be nice to win the lottery," she jokes with a wry grin.

"And you're right, probably best to stay away from Arkham. Honestly I wonder why it's still going sometimes."

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    "Same reason why it's so difficult to get anything broken shut down -- people don't like change." Phoebe replies quietly, sitting the controller in her lap as she leans back on the couch.

    "So, I heard a little bit about Hope's future -- what's yours like? Do we finally get the flying cars and closer to world peace?"

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Carrie Kelley draws in a slow, deep breath at the question. This wasn't a topic she spoke of often. It was less of one she spoke about recently. Her lips purse together as she reaches again for her hot chocolate to take a long, slow sip. Leaning back into the couch her expression turns a bit introspective.

"No. It gets worse. Much worse. People... The world as a whole decides that heroes are as much a problem as villains. That one perpetuates the other." Something that had been a sticking point for quite awhile on arguments even now. "They asked that heroes leave. Stop. Retire. And to an extent they listened. Batman retired after the ... after an incident that broke his spirit for awhile. Wonder Woman returned to Thymescria. Superman had no where else to go, so agreed to only do things when the President himself asked."

"But there were those who didn't want to quit, or leave. So the President asked that Superman enforce the decision that they retire."

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    Character selection for the next round might even be on the screen, but Phoebe seems far, far more interested in what Carrie has to say. She laces her fingers together, perching her chin on her fingers as she turns and studies Carrie quietly.

    "And many did not?" she questions in a gentle tone, her dark eyes laser focused on the redhead as she purses her lips. She draws her knees up, crossing her legs at the ankles as she watches the introspective redhead.

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Carrie Kelley gives a mute shake of her head in response. "There were many who didn't. Some powered, most not. Those that would prove valuable to the administration were 'arrested' and put to work for the government. The scientists and inventors that also fought. The Atom. And others. Those that weren't? That were just vigilantes or heroes throught fighting?" Her fingers drum against the mug. This was all things she'd heard, and grown up hearing. She heard more as Robin but it had happened long before she was born so it wasn't too bad to recount.

"One hero for instance was a friend of Superman. He couldn't talk him into retiring so he tore his arm off to make him unable to fight anymore. I'm sure there were others," she adds with a small shrug. "But that was before I was around. I know of a few for certain because I met them during my training before I came here. I heard their stories, and saw the results. The governments had all the power. The people lost hope. It didn't stop the criminals. A few, maybe, but others rose up in their place. When Batman came out of retirement, and I joined him, it became a war between us and the world... Then the bomb came. We all started from square one after that. Gotham was one of the few places not to fall thanks to Batman's leadership keeping us together."

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    Phoebe's attention was rapt on Carrie. She watches the drumming of the fingers. She listens about the rebellion -- against *Superman* of all people.

    The healer frowns, and curls her fingers a little bit, light peering between her fingers before she looks up to Carrie.

    "Sounds like you have a world of respect for Batman... he... must have been pretty high up there in age then?"

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Carrie Kelley smiles softly at the memories. They were old but deep memories, and ones she couldn't properly express the extent of. "Yes, he was in his eighties. I was the means he worked most of his plans through. He still fought of course, but not everyone. Not all the time. I helped him fake his death at the hands of Superman so we could weaken him. And hide again letting the world think he was dead for awhile."

"Superman came to his funeral. I think he knew... but he didn't come back later or stop me from digging the Boss up again."

With a light clearing of her throat she glances aside to Phoebe. Her eyes dialate slightly as she works to coming back to the here and now. "It's different here of course. He's more my father than... Well. A General."

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    "... I grew up with Batman as a Boogie Man. Akin to the Owls... and... well." she mutters something crossly about zombies, and she breathes out as she rubs the back of her head.

    "I've not met him yet, I'm kind of mixed terrified and respectful of him. I admire his work, and he's apparently a really great father figure... which... I can't quite reconcile with 'BatDad'." she frowns a moment. "Which sounds horribly disrespectful to say and I don't mean any disrespect at all!"

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Carrie Kelley chuckles quietly at that along with another shake of her head. "It's fine. He's not as severe here as the one I had known. It's easier for me to think of them as two different people. Maybe the one I knew would have ended up like this one if he'd had more people around him to keep him from going down that darker path. I don't know. I do know that there's a world of differences here even if there are some similarities."

"And Batman is always the boogie man. It's how he works."

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    "Little different when your parents have to console you about Batman hiding under your bed, or in your closet, so you get sort of an early lesson about what a vigilante is." Phoebe gives a grin, and points to herself.

    "My dad was a firefighter and an EMT, he had seen The Batman, he said, a couple of times, and figured any guy who wore spandex had to be super brave to be out in Gotham at night." she smiles slightly. "... I can see him being fatherly though. I mean, Tim has a lot of respect for him. Conner seems to have a bone to pick with him, though."

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Carrie Kelley holds up her hands a bit at that. "I don't know about Conner. He's not really part of the fam, directly at least. He's got his own issues to deal with. I just deal with my brothers," she points out with a wry grin. "Plus, I admit I don't know Conner that well. Or, really anyone." Here she pauses with a little frown at her own lapse in spending any time outside of Gotham in any way.

"While the others branched out in groups, I stayed in Gotham. I felt like I had to. I didn't, but... It's hard to break habits I guess. I didn't want the past to repeat by leaving him alone. In the end though," her hands spread out on her lap with a shrug. "I'm the one that did. Tim has Conner and Bart and others as old teammates. Nightwing has the Titans. Red Hood has..." She pauses here clearing her throat. "Okay he and I may be on the same footing. You get my point though."

"I ended up making the same mistake MY Batman did. I isolated myself. Even if I had the rest of the family, I didn't have much of anyone outside that."

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    "I get it." Phoebe gives a grin. "Gotham's home, some of us are just homebodies." she gives a nicer spin on self-isolation, and she looks out over the livingroom, and gives a slight smile.

    "I don't really have anyone. Tim?" her eyes scrunch a little, "We talk a lot. He's kinda mentor-ish? Cass visited me at home once. I'll get some direction from Diana, but I hate bothering her... it's just kinda tougher when you balance being superhero heals and an honors highschool student... but..." she reaches out, and very lightly pokes a hand against Carrie's leg.

    "You've got me now, too. I'm a Gotham native. I love this city, and its defenders."

Carrie Kelley has posed:
"Thanks Pheebe," Carrie offers back with a grin. "That's part of why I'm looking forward to working with the team though. I feel like I missed out when I was younger." That earns a little laugh from her, and she rakes a hand back through her hair.

"Look at me, only twenty and already talking like an old fogey. Anyway, yeah. I'm happy to help you out with things if you need and I'm pretty much always around."

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    "You are an old fogey. I'm only sixteen." Phoebe replies and sticks her tongue out. "I'll make sure to throw a cane or a walker into the med lab in case you need it. I think there's already /prune juice/ in the food locker." she jokes.

    "... and thank you, Carrie. You can always grab me if you want to vent." the young healer replies. "If I'm not up to my eyeballs in books, I'm typically in the medlab... allllso up to my eyeballs in books."

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Carrie Kelley snorts faintly at that, though she does give a good natured nudge back with her elbow. "Hey I've been doing this since I was twelve. I'm an expert in my field!" Another nod is given, and she reaches one last time for her mug of cocoa. It was almost emptied.

"I do get that. If any of us know how hard it is to balance school life and THIS life, it's me and Tim. Even Red Hood though he had that 'being dead' situation for awhile when he was fifteen. He got better," she adds quoting either the Princess Bride or Monty Python. Sometimes it was easy to lose track of which was which.

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    Beacon just sort of stares out into space at the 'being dead' thing.

    "The whole 'being dead' thing..." she murmurs, wrapping her arms around her legs. "... I need to get that soundtrack." she remarks to herself, then looks to Carrie, and gives a nod. "Well, any advice you can give on how to not wreck a motorcycle would be handy. I've almost got enough to get one, and I'm pretty confident I can repair it with my dad's tools." she remarks, then drawing up, she streeetches, and begins to gather her books. "I should get going though -- my mom worries if I'm out too late these days."

Carrie Kelley has posed:
"Honestly? Be prepared to wreck," Carrie states with a small shrug as her hands spread. "It will happen at some point. Be prepared by wearing the right gear. And for the love of all that's sane, do NOT try to pick up the bike if it starts tipping over. Hit the kill switch and jump clear. That thing weighs more than eight of you, you're going to hurt yourself more trying to keep it up."

She nods in understanding at the rest, and gets to her feet as well. "Yeah, don't want to get your mom worried. It's nice when they care."

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    "I'll trade. You can have my mom for a week. Hope you like vegan food." Phoebe remarks, giving a wave on her way down to the ally entrance to the Roost.