933/The Knights Table

The Knights Table
Date of Scene:	02 April 2020
Location:	The Knights Table
Synopsis:	Cass, Carrie, Stephanie and Roberto hit a Gotham Knights sports bar during the draft.
Cast of Characters:	Stephanie Brown, Cassandra Cain, Roberto da Costa, Carrie Kelley

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Stephanie Brown has posed:
It's one of the exciting days of the year in the sporting world. The football draft! There's a draft-watching party over in the stadium itself, while plenty of people choose various sports bars and breastaurants for their viewing pleasure.

Stephanie sent a text around to a number of people trying to find someone who felt like going out somewhere. Even if she isn't the most knowledgeable sports fan, the event is itself entertaining watching people cheer or groan as the various picks come in.

Steph had sent one such text to Roberto da Costa, inviting to come down the HyperLoop for the evening. Another had gone out to Cass, with a picture of the outside of the building, and another with a picture of a clock showing the time that Steph planned to be here.

Cassandra Cain has posed:
One wouldn't even notice the door swinging open and closed, not in this kind of environment. So when Cass shows up she does so openly, just kicking the door a bit with a toetip and letting it swing closed in someone else's face. She has on her standard; the hoodie covering her head, the pants that hide all the toys.

The dark eyes scan the crowd, as the guy at the door scans her ID. Oracle did a good job on it though; as he hands it back, she swipes it from his hand and walks in without even a shrug.

So she's quite visible for Stephanie to spot. May have closed the door on a hot guy, but she wasn't really paying enough attention to the outside. She sees her target.

Stephanie Brown has posed:
Stephanie Brown is sitting over at a table, one of the tall ones that has stools for chairs at it. She grabbed one with four seats and enough room to add two more just in case anyone else showed up. Stephanie came to blend into the crowd, which tonight especially meant wearing some Gotham Knights attire. She has on a girl's fitted jersey with the quarterback's name on the back, and is wearing a pair of jeans with it.

There's a glass of soda in front of Stephanie already, and a plate of chips and salsa. She's nibbling on them when Steph sees the newcomer arrive. "Cass!" she calls out, waving to get Cassandra's attention. Stephanie's face is lit up with warmth. It won't take someone of Cassandra's skills to spot her and recognize how happy she is to see the other girl. Stephanie waves her over, motioning to a seat at the table with her.

Cassandra Cain has posed:
Cass Cain weaves her way through the Sports Bar crowd with almost ridiculous ease. The fact that she's not very large serves her well; she fits through spaces that most would get jostled in, and seems to know when there'll be a good path opening up.

She does see Stephanie. Of course she would have, so when she steps up it's almost like magic. She parted the crowd by means unknown. And then she's looking around, her face so clearly confused that it barely -has- other emotions.

The names and faces on the boards hold no interest, so she glances sidewise to Steph, an eyebrow raising with an unspoken question?

Roberto da Costa has posed:
Yes, Roberto was indeed the handsome guy who got the door shut in his face, but he's not going to get much sympathy here, since he borrowed a NY Giants jersey from one of the kids at school before making the trip down on the hyperloop. Spotting Steph, he waves, enduring the hard stares of the various Knights fans around him as he makes his way to the booth. Cass, aka the girl who shut the door in his face gets a nod. "Hey, glad I could make it," he says to the table before sitting down next to Steph and kissing her on the cheek.

He extends a hand to Cass. "Hey, I'm Roberto."

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Carrie Kelley had also received the text. For a short while she wasn't certain she would come out. Sports weren't really her thing... But with all that had happened recently, being more social on a non-work level was probably a good idea for her. Her way is made down to the stadium and this particular bar to flash her ID at the door, before she enters. At least the food smelled good from what she could tell.

She's just behind Roberto it would seem so she's able to get a very good view of just about every step he takes from the door to the booth with Steph. Being short it's not until he sits that she's likely seen lifting a hand to give a slightly awkward wave. "Hey guys. Steph, Cass." Her head tilts to the unfamiliar Roberto with an eyebrow raising at the kiss to Steph's cheek. "Man, am I the only one single around here these days?" She jokes with a laugh as she moves to sit beside Cass.

"Thanks for the invite. I needed to get out a bit."

Stephanie Brown has posed:
Stephanie flashes Cass a warm grin as she arrives. "Football season," she says to Cassandra, "Or not, but it's part of it." She spots the menu that has a football on the cover, and picks it up to show her, hoping Cass has at least seen it before.

There are TVs all over the bar, turned to two different sports stations covering the draft, so there's plenty of opportunity to pick up it has something to do with the game from those as well.

As first Roberto and then Carrie join them at the table, Stephanie beams a smile, slipping off her tall stool go give Roberto a quick hug and a peck on the cheek before sitting down again. She's grinning at his greeting and motions towards Cassandra and Carrie in turn. "Cassandra, and Carrie. Cass doesn't really talk usually," she tells Roberto to prepare him, though the short Asian girl gets a warm smile from Steph.

She motions towards the chairs. "What, I'd figure with that hair you'd be like a firetruck drawing everyone to come see, Carrie," Stephanie teases. "And... ah... yeah, we're sort of dating I guess," she says with a little smile and side bump of the Brazilian man. "So, this is the /other/ football, and you show up in a Giants jersey? We may get lynched before the food arrives."

Cassandra Cain has posed:
Roberto's hand is met by Cass' own. Not 'reacted to', but met as if she were waiting for him to stick out his mitt in her direction. She only tilted her head when the kiss happened, clearly uncertain about the situation in general. She has a good grip. Calloused, a tiny bit competitive. For a girl.

When Carrie asks her question it's met but not a lot from Cass, though we all know that she's single. Sad, but true. She sticks her tongue out just a bit, fully capable of commenting apparently.

Cass takes the menu and looks at it when it's fanned at her. She looks at it, looks around the room, and...shrugs, tossing the thing gently back on the table. Football isn't a priority for her?

She still has Roberto's hand in her other, having a few social issues to deal with. Like her eyes glancing from Roberto to Steph and back, narrowing very slightly with a message.

Roberto da Costa has posed:
Roberto returns the hug and takes a seat before his hand is appropriated by the strange girl across the table who seems to be giving him some sort of death stare? Message? He's not sure, he looks to Steph for some answers.

Carrie's arrival is met with a smile. "Hi, I'm Roberto, definitely dating Steph, sorry to hear about the single thing, and would shake your hand but?" he glances at Cass, before he tries to withdraw it.

As for the jersey? "Figured got to live dangerously."

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Carrie Kelley chuckles as she gets a tongue stuck out at her and nods toward Cass in apparent understanding. "Yes, but you're awesome either way," she assures with a grin. Looking across at Roberto she lifts an eyebrow with an amused look. She leans half across the table to offer, "She's saying she'll kill you if you hurt Stephanie." At least that's pretty much how she reads it.

Sitting back she reaches for the discarded menu fully intending to grab food. "Yeah, the hair. It's not that *nice* shade of red everyone likes though. Plus being a Wayne adoptee I think people are kind of nervous around me." Not that she went to many functions. "I should try to get out more as it is. What's good here? I could go for a burger or some buffalo wings."

Stephanie Brown has posed:
Stephanie gives a nod towards Carrie's translation of Cassandra's message. "Did I mention my friends are protective?" she asks Roberto with a sheepish smile. She leans against his shoulder briefly as she tells the others, "Roberto and I met when I was touring campus. Gotham U that is."

The blond picks up one of the menus and opens it. "They have pretty good pub food basically," she says. "Anyone feel like splitting some chicken tenders with me?" she asks as she flips through the menu. To Roberto, Stephanie asks, "How was the ride down? Glad you were able to get away from school for the evening."

Cassandra gets shown the menu that has a picture of the chicken tenders on it, and a look of curiosity from Stephanie, obviously wondering if she'd like some.

Cassandra Cain has posed:
The hands are unclasped, the bargain sealed. He knows his fate now, thanks to Carrie's swift and knowledgable translation. So the asian girl turns to the menu being profferred with a blink and a tilt of her head.

She seems willing to peruse it this time; apparently food is of higher importance than the football people. She might like it more if she got to watch it played. Maybe.

Roberto da Costa has posed:
Roberto gives Carrie a nod about Cass' message. "Yeah, sort of got that vibe, wait-" red hair, Wayne adoptee, Carrie. "Oh, you're Carrie Kelley," he says. "Which makes you Tim's sister then?" he says before looking between the girls, "Did you guys meet when Steph was dating Tim?" he asks.

He smiles and gives a nod to Cass, "I noticed," he says, before asking Cass. "You're last name isn't Kinney is it?"

As for food, "I can splits some tenders, but def getting some sort of burger." Then to Steph, "Hey no problem,was a quiet night at the school."

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Carrie Kelley chuckles faintly at the way he puts two and two together. It wasn't like she tried to hide it but she didn't exactly flash it around either. "Yeah, that's me," she agrees with a grin. "And yeah I did. Tim and I aren't super close, but I try. I know he's usually got his nose in a computer game half the time so Steph and I ended up hanging out a good bit."

Grinning she places the menu down with a nod. "We could just grab a couple plates of tenders and some other stuff. I'm always fond of fried pickles."

Stephanie Brown has posed:
Stephanie Brown watches Cassandra as she lets go of Roberto's hand. No dislocated joints or broken bones, so Stephanie will assume that the young man has Cassandra's seal of approval at least so far. Stephanie flashes a warm smile over to her before turning back to the menu.

"Oh, burger does sound good. So do the fried pickles. Yes, can get a platter and, maybe a second order of the tenders. And your burger," she says, directing the last to Roberto. Stephanie had considered mentioning the bit about Carrie, but Roberto picked up on it already. "Yes, video game orphans," Stephanie says with a smile for Carrie.

On the TV, it's getting near to the Gotham Knight's first round pick. The buzz in the bar picks up as people start to talk and argue about who they should pick. Stephanie glances up and says, "We need to take Cass to a game sometime. I think she'd enjoy it, if we could keep her off the field."

Cassandra Cain has posed:
Cass says, "Cain," in a voice that's barely loud enough to hear if you're listening for it. It might be missed in all the hubbub, background noise, and chatter from friends to friends.

She puts down the menu, having figured that ordering will be taken care of by those more qualified than her. She isn't looking at Roberto now. She's not really looking at anyone. To be honest she seems a little out of place here. There's nothing to hit, after all.

Roberto da Costa has posed:
Roberto nods with understanding, "Ah, one of those," by which he means nerds. "They can be tough nuts to crack, unless you play the same games." He shrugs. "Not my thing really, games but enough kids at my school are into them to know the type."

As for the food there's an enthusiastic nod for the deep fried pickels. "Always wanted to try those, and sure, let's do the whole big platter thing." he says before looking to Cass after her intro. "Good to meet you Miss Cain."

Stephanie Brown has posed:
Stephanie motions towards what Roberto said as if he has the truth of it. "He's a good guy though," she says. Of course, she told the Lamaze story. That pretty much is the embodiment of a 'good guy'. The waitress comes over and Stephanie lets Roberto put in the order, a hand going over to rest on his back.

She turns her attention to Cassandra then, the blond flashing a warm smile over to her. "Have missed you," she says to Cassandra. "I know this isn't your kind of place," Stephanie says, looking around the room. "But thank you for coming out."

Cassandra Cain has posed:
The quiet dark-haired girl finally sits, having been standing this entire time. She turns the chair around, plunking it between her legs so she can lean on the back of it with her chin and arms, then gives Roberto a thumbs-up that never reaches her eyes.

She lifts her eyes to watch as someone walks past, an odd expression passing her face while Stephanie talks. Her eyes flick back, and the smile that brushes her lips is real.

Then she looks at Roberto again. That smile shifts, but she tilts her head thoughtfully as if gauging him. And she seems to..relax. And the nod she gives him adds Stephanie into it, with a gaze and a smile.

Roberto da Costa has posed:
Roberto nods about Tim. "Sound like it," he says, though good guy or not, there was a ton of second hand nerd vibes about this kid, but he was there for Steph and that's what mattered. He places the order, and then smiles when he seems to get approval from Cass.

He gives her a thumbs up of his own, and then asks the pair, "What sort of places do you two usually hang at?" before he makes a face at a Knights fan giving him a dirty look.

Stephanie Brown has posed:
Oh yes, how does Stephanie answer that one? "Well, we sometimes sort of go... explore Gotham. Never really know where we might end up," Stephanie answers with a glance over to Cassanda. Old abandoned warehouses turned villain lairs. The tops of skyscrapers. Gotham Harbor sneaking onto a smuggling boat.

Usual teenage girl kind of stuff.

Stephanie is used to keeping an eye on Cassandra to be able to tell when she's communicating something, and the reactions she gives Roberto get a smile from Stephanie too.

Stephanie catches the dirty look and gives a shrug towards him. "Can take the boy out of New York..." she says, leaving the rest unsaid, and getting a laugh from the man. "Seriously, Roberto, going to have to get you a Knight's jersey," she teases.

Stephanie looks to Cassandra and asks, "Do you think you might enjoy going to a game sometime?" She motions towards a TV screen that's showing some footage of a game.

Cassandra Cain has posed:
Cass looks at Stephanie as she's addressed. It's one of those times when it's actually difficult to tell if she's understanding you; even Steph, who has possibly the most experience with Cassandra of anyone, still has those moments. Because she just stares as if Steph has just asked her which kid fell down the well.

She pauses a moment, then lifts her hands together. She makes a little 'walking' motion with the fingers of one hand over the palm of the other, then shrugs openly with a following showing of teeth.

Her eyes flick left, then she quickly moves her left hand to slap at something. A man's voice yelps from behind Steph, and he backs away from the blonde's chair. Then Cass is just looking at Roberto and Steph again. No explanation is given.

Roberto da Costa has posed:
Roberto nods, "Oh, climbing buddy, I get it," he says remembering the pictures.

Then there's a smile at Steph. "I'll buy one now if it makes you happy, I just borrowed this one because I thought it'd be funny," he grins. Not seeming to be bothered by the looks he's given.

Glancing back at the yelp, Roberto turns to Cass and then Steph, asking, "What just happened there?"

Stephanie Brown has posed:
Stephanie Brown glances back at the man as well. Hopefully there's no sign of blood. There usually isn't, her friend knows that much, Stephanie knows. "Cass is really protective of those she cares about," Stephanie tells Roberto. "And she's slow to trust, but... fiercely loyal when she does."

Steph reaches a hand across the table, will rest it on Cass's arm as she gives her a warm look if Cass allows. "I think she was just, looking out for us," Stephanie says softly, and looking at Roberto then, hoping he isn't too worried about what happened.

Cassandra Cain has posed:
Cass doesn't answer, not with words. She takes criticism well, and compliments the same way. But the hand on her arm is taken gratefully, from the look on her face that's suddenly maybe just a teensy bit tired.

She pauses, then she does something a bit odd. Her friends would be used to odd, Roberto maybe not so much. She lifts her free hand and touches it to the center of her own forehead. Then she reaches across the table.

Cassandra touches first Roberto's chest, then Stephanie's. Just a touch, but one after the other. Then she brings the hand back to her own heart. And that's all, a cryptic message if you will. But she stands, placing Stephanie's hand on Robert's, instead of her own. And she leaves them together in the bar, walking away.

She will, of course, stalk them for the evening. Just in case. But hey, what are friends for?