8865/Deep Sea Stories

Deep Sea Stories
Date of Scene:	29 November 2021
Location:	New York Harbor Docks
Synopsis:	Terry catches up with Arthur Curry. Many things are discussed, including Donna's mother's love life. No, really.
Cast of Characters:	Arthur Curry, Terry O'Neil

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Arthur Curry has posed:
    O'Hallorans Grill and Crabshack is mostly known along the East River mainly for the large bright red crab perched on the roof right next to the industrial air conditioner. It's seen when one drives down East 76th and get close to the river's edge on the left. Just a squat crab perched over the side of the building and giving a motorized click of its claws at those who dare pass by.
    Yet that's just for tourists. For the regulars that stop in it's known for having a surprisingly good microbrew and the all you can eat crab deals on the weekend. Not the best crab available in the city, but the most for sure.
    Which might be in part why Arthur Curry's response to Terry's text about a follow-up interview... was to meet there.
    So the sight that greets the other hero when he rolls in is the typical subdued hub bub of a Sunday evening. A few people watching the two LCD screens up on the walls, some other older men watching the Keno numbers being drawn on another data screen. And across the room, at the bar, is Arthur. Settled on a bar stool with a plate of fries and a beer in front of him, watching the television above while surrounded by other locals. He's got his hair pulled back in a pony tail, that beard partially braided, and is dressed much as he often is, work clothes, jeans, hoodie, and a myriad of rings as well as that emerald hanging from his neck just above the hint of those tattoos that cover what can be seen of his chest.

Terry O'Neil has posed:
Terry walks in while in his human guise, because The Other Guy has a tendency to draw attention to himself just by /being/ somewhere. The red-headed teenager, on the other hand, is more of your boy-next-door flavor. Common fare. Add to that the hoodie and jeans and he's the kind of face you overlook.

Which works just fine, since the person he is coming to see isn't the kind you overlook. No need to add to that.

He approaches the bar and shoots Arthur a friendly grin, "Long time no see- thank you for letting drop by!" Settling on a stool next to Arthur, the young man offers his hand by way of greeting, giving the grill a cursory glance to take in the patrons and the general feel of the place.

Arthur Curry has posed:
    When Terry arrives and catches Arthur's eye the tall man quickly finishes the French fry he had been eating, then wipes his hands on his jeans as he pushes himself to his feet. He turns and rises to his appreciable height and starts to walk those few steps needed to make the meet. "Terry, hey man!"
    A rough hand is extended open to offer that handshake that likely the other man knows will be at the least firm but not too aggressive. And if it's allowed then he'll be pulled into that sort of bro-hug that is ubiquitous for some folks. "Good to see you, man."
    That said he steps back and gestures with a nod to the seat next to him, reaching out to grab his beer once again and tosses a sidelong nod the other man's way. "You hungry?"
    As he says that he's already trying to snare the attention of the bartender, holding up two fingers and gesturing.

Terry O'Neil has posed:
Terry doesn't object to the bro-hug, although where it concerns Arthur, he always has the impression that he is about to crash into an unforgiving rock wall, the man is built like a cliff and almost anyone is comparatively frail and slight standing next to him.

"Sure! What's good here? I have been pulling double duty at the Planet and Starr Inc. and somedays I skip lunch altogether. I'm starving!"

Arthur Curry has posed:
    "Well, crabs here aren't necessarily great, they're not entirely bad." Arthur says openly even as the tender, a rather grim-faced bald older man, steps close and eyeballs the two superheroes. Apparently he knows the half-Atlantean as when he gets close enough he lifts his voice,
    "Hey, Arthur, fuck you."
    Which causes the Justice Leaguer to sort of grin sidelong at Terry then nods back toward the man. "Yeah, yeah. I dunno, what's good today, Phil."
    "Everythin', everythin' is good here."
    Which has Arthur looking back at Terry. "Fries, burger mebbe." Then he gives a nod to Phil, "Two beers, man."
    "Right, right." The older man says and shuffles off.
    Which leaves the two there at the end of the bar, "So what's up, man?"

Terry O'Neil has posed:
"Make one a soda-" Terry quickly adds, "I'm still nineteen..." and, pivoting to face Arthur on his stool, "Even if part of me is five hundred years old or thereabouts, that has never worked in any bar I've been to."

The redhead leans on the bar, "I thought I'd check up and do a bit of a follow-up. Last time we talked the Embassy was still in its planning stages and we were sharing a pizza with your Martian friends," he grins, "I imagine a lot of water has passed under the bridge since then. I would have checked in earlier, but we ended up in Themyscira after fighting through Tartarus, and /then/ I was sort of trapped in an alien planet across the galaxy-- but you know, normal stuff." He waves a hand dismissively. His 'normal' now is decidedly different from that of a year ago, but that is the truth for anyone who enters the life.

Arthur Curry has posed:
    Arthur's response to the soda makes him look back and furrow his brow as if a touch incredulous, but then his eyebrows raise as he accepts it and rearranges his world view thusly. "Good of ya then," He points at Terry, for that honesty. Perhaps making a small attempt at being the sort of role model he should instead of just the layabout he tends to resemble.
    But then his attention is snared back by the here and now and his head bobs as he takes up another fry. "Ah man, the embassy." There's that furrowed brow again only this one is less likely to go away anytime soon. "That..." Arthur bites a french fry and frowns, glowering a little at something in the distance.
    "That may be a hassle." But he doesn't explore further on that, then he heaves a small 'heh' as he reinforces Terry's words, "Yeah, normal stuff."
    "Alright, lemme see how I can put this..."
    He takes up a napkin and wipes at the corner of his mouth, gaze thoughtful as he perhaps chooses his words.

Terry O'Neil has posed:
The frown causes Terry's own brow to furrow in thought. His soda arrives and he grabs it with a 'thank you.' He sips it in silence for a few seconds, allowing Arthur time with his thoughts.

Then, he says "Would it help if I asked questions? When a situation is a bit... eeeeh.... I find that asking questions can help frame things. Or at least it gives one an approach vector."

Arthur Curry has posed:
    "Sure, questions are good." Arthur says as he straightens and turns on the stool, the metal squeaking at that shift even as he leans one elbow upon the bartop. "But easiest way to put it was there was some pushback."
    Arthur takes up a nub end of a fry and pushes it around the small puddle of ketchup he has on that plate, then nods his thanks to the bartender for his new beer. He lifts his chin a little, "Namor's King." The half-Atlantean says as if it was some form of condemnation then uncurls a hand. "He wants to put his own spin on it, and somethin' about wanting some of his people on duty and..."
    It's clear that Arthur is none too pleased about it, shaking his head as he looks back toward the door, then scowling as he shifts his attention back to Terry. "Just usual snafu shit."
    Then his eyebrows climb, "Still, we'll see what happens. Things seem to be..." For a moment he bites his lower lip, then adds. "In flux."

Terry O'Neil has posed:
"Ah," Terry says. He doesn't say anything for a few seconds, sipping his soda, using the straw to swirl the ice cubes in the glass before finally looking up at Arthur.

"I have never met the gentleman, but some people I know have. I have heard that his temper is as short as the outfits he wears, and his personality is about as large."

There is a slight curl to his lip as he takes another sip of his soda, "But I'm probably out of line in saying that sort of thing. Which seems to be my default state."

Arthur Curry has posed:
    The other hero makes a face, looking to the side as he listens to Terry. Just a sort of half-pained half-smelled something bad face that leaves his sentiments about the other man rather clear as day. Yet, to his credit, he doesn't speak ill of the man, not too terribly so at the least.
    "Guy's got a lot on his plate." He looks back and takes a deep breath, holds it, then slowly exhales it through his nose. "Dealing with a lot of stuff that I know if I had to deal with then... yeah my temper'd be pretty short." Which, might be generous indeed.
    Then he seems to draw that chapter to a close at least by saying, "In any case, bottom line, might be a bit before the embassy comes together in a form that's a positive."
    Then his smirk returns, a touch wry now. "Any other questions?" He asks as he picks up the beer bottle and takes a swig.

Terry O'Neil has posed:
Taking another sip of the soda, the young man takes his time. The glass hides the slight smile that comes to him. That the man refuses to badmouth Namor is commendable.

"Does this foreshadow any difficulties between Atlantis and the surface, do you think?" A pause, and the redhead gestures with his glass, "All of this is off-the record, incidentally, until you say it isn't. Cape word of honor. But I did grow concerned at the fact that the date had come and gone, and not much had happened."

Arthur Curry has posed:
    "What?" Is Arthur's first reaction, but then he lifts the fingertips of one hand off the table as if motioning to stay Terry from that thought, and instead murmurs, "Nah." Then a little more sure of it himself he repeats, "Nah."
    "But hey thanks," To it being off the record. Yet he elaborates, "If something started to brew a mess between Atlantis and the surface, then yeah. I wouldn't let it run that course. Namor and I see eye to eye on that at least." Perhaps against Namor's will too, to a degree.
    "But yeah, the due date went on by..." He lifts a rough hand to rub at the back of his neck, "Partially my fault too, to be fair. But we'll see how it goes."

Terry O'Neil has posed:
Terry nods, "I guess it will be a while before we get something like the Atlantis Arts Center the way Themyscira has it set up. It would be fascinating if it could happen, though." He chuckles "I have to admit I know very little about Atlantis outside of the ancient texts... you know, Plato, and I am pretty sure he got most of it wrong."

A sip from his glass, "There was an old text that claimed Atlantis went to war against the Amazon at some point in the remote past. Diodorus Siculus. It sounds far-fetched... how much of Ancient Atlantean History have you had access to?" he asks, the curiosity that killed the cat peeking through, even if he is not in feline form.

Arthur Curry has posed:
    "Yeah, long time ago." Arthur's voice drifts a little as he looks to the side, his own thoughts wandering down that path and it hasn't been the first time he's trod along it in reflection. A glance back toward Terry, then he gives a nod as he murmurs, "Several schools of thought as to the why, though there were times when they came together despite the bad blood."
    His brow furrows slightly, then he murmurs with a hint of a smile, "Thankfully Diana and I get along... /passingly/ well."
    Another deep breath as he considers that past, then takes another swallow of beer. "But no, the times I've been in Atlantis, scholarly pursuits weren't at the top of my thoughts. Though..." He shifts his weight to the side, giving more of it to the countertop of the bar. "I had a good tutor, but..." He seems about to say something else, then puts a stop to it.
    "Well, just I could stand to do more studying."

Terry O'Neil has posed:
"Is there anyone who doesn't get along with Diana?" Terry says with a smile, before appending: "Aside from The Cheetah, but that doesn't count, now, really."

Something seems to cross his mind, but it is a few seconds before he finally puts words to it. "You know... I don't think people realize how strange it is, when someone belongs to two different worlds. Take myself for example- There's the world where you're at, and there are no impediments to get there... but it's always the one that we can't get to as easily that weighs the most. The one that sticks at the back of your mind and waits until you're distracted to ambush you, and suddenly you've got a longing that you didn't know you had, and you briefly think about what ifs."

He sets his glass down. "Well. At least that's how it is for me."

Arthur Curry has posed:
    Arthur seems to be listening along for a time and enjoying his beer as his own eyes are shifted to somewhere just over Terry's shoulder, he listens, now and again looking back to the young man's eyes, then nodding in agreement with the words shared. Though it's near the end when a hint of curiousity lights his features, head tilting just so and to the side.
    Then, once Terry sets the glass down, Arthur asks. "Are you... are you trying to set me up with Diana?" Since apparently that's the connection he makes.
    "I mean, she's pretty great. But we would be very... Tony Randall Jack Klugman." He looks to the side as he perhaps spares the idea more thought and his brow lifts as if knowing that that comparison might well be an understatement.

Terry O'Neil has posed:
Terry looks absolutely surprised at this. "Actually, I was trying to set you up with me!" - he waits for two heart-beats, and then bursts laughing, "Just kidding. I am not trying to fix you up with anyone, I was commiserating on belonging to two different worlds- you're the surface and Atlantis, and I'm here and Wonderland. I can't go back to Wonderland... I am not entirely sure Diana feels that way, though. I've seen Themyscira. I can't imagine anyone over there ever feeling like they belong to any other place, it's absolutely gorgeous."

He smirks, "And most of the Amazons there gave us the cautious side-eye during the three days we remained. I think they were apprehensive of the entire place being overrun by dirty docks and old underwear."

Arthur Curry has posed:
    Lips parting in an 'ohh' of understanding, things parse back into place for Arthur as he gives a nod, "Well heck, I am kinda dense then I imagine." Offered in reply to the first statement, but then he gives a small 'heh' as he equates the real world with the alternate world shared. Wonderland, Atlantis, and Themyscira for Diana. They do share small touchpoints, and likely some sentiment between the three people who know those lands.
    "I imagine it's different for all of us in some ways. Atlantis, for me, is still perhaps..." His eyes narrow a little as he looks at his beer, considering it. "Idealized? Somewhat. While Diana's home is one she's known in depth for so long and yet she holds it in such high regard. Wonderland though..." His lips twist a touch, "I can only imagine."
    Another slight exhaled breath that if it was given a little more energy might be a laugh. "Though you can understand why the amazons would be cautious."

Terry O'Neil has posed:
"Oh, no, I am fully aware. I've read my histories, inaccurate though they may be- though Troia has more or less caught me up on the inaccuracies. "I met Herakles not too long ago. He gave the /biggest/ puppy eyes when I mentioned Hippolyta, which makes me have /questions/, but I haven't asked Troia because asking about someone's mother's love life just /weird/, especially when it's thousands of years old."

He glances up from his glass. and smirks, "And now that I've conjured up /that/ mental image..."

Arthur Curry has posed:
    A short bark of a laugh is given as Arthur shakes his head, "I mean..." Arthur seems to pause as Hippolyta is mentioned, and he likely weighs the words back and forth, easily seen in the way his head tilts one way and then the next even as he bites his lower lip. "Hippolyta is a handsome woman."
    Oh no, handsome.
    He lifts a hand and gestures to the side, "Easy to understand how a goofball like Hercules would be smitten. Smote. Smoten?" That said he takes another sip of beer, then leans forwards to pat Terry on the shoulder, just a small thumpathump, "But hey, how are you doing? You sounded a lil down there."

Terry O'Neil has posed:
Oh no, handsome. At least Terry promising this conversation is off-the-record means that Donna will never hear of that. And thus the second Amazon-Atlantean war was averted on this day.

"Ah, nothing too big. Strange things have been happening in Metropolis-- and some people have started pointing to the fact that they're very... Wonderlandish. I have no idea. But it makes me feel like I could get to the bottom of things if I were ... able to go back and see if it's true. But the way is closed. And I got to thinking what it's like back there--- I've never been. Not in this life. My past one... but that wasn't me."

He chuckles and waves a hand, "It gets confusing."

Arthur Curry has posed:
    One hand lifts to scritch at his chin as he leans there, nodding when Terry mentions what is passing for him and now it's more understandable the wish to return to his roots. He heaves a small grunt, but not an unsympathetic one, then says. "There have been a lot of sorcerous strangeness in Metropolis lately. They could be related." With the appearance of Dr. Fate and all.
    But when Vorpal mentions it being confusing he nods again and says, "I understand, man. A lot of the circles we travel in things can get way out there." He grimaces, "Maybe when we get a sit down done with some of the finger-twiddlers, can wrangle them to have a few words with you." Or, in normal speak, a meeting with some magicians.
    "But c'mon, there've gotta be other things going on. I'm hungry, think I am gonna go for one of those burgers."
    And as he says that he gives a nod toward old Phil.