9345/Here are your stupid gifts! GAWL!

Here are your stupid gifts! GAWL!
Date of Scene:	29 December 2021
Location:	Batburger
Synopsis:	Thea and Alexander go to Gotham to bring Roy his gifts for Christmas even though he's a jerk!
Cast of Characters:	Roy Harper, Thea Queen, Alexander Aaron

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Roy Harper has posed:
Sitting at a table is Roy. He ordered way more food than he can afford to pay for. He knows Thea is coming by. She's good for it. He is eating the first of three double Batburgers. He has a large order of Justice fries and large order of (insert some exhausting superhero reference here) onion rings and two cherry pies on deck waiting to be devoured. He watches down his mouthful of burger with some cherry Coke.

Thea Queen has posed:
Time to visit the surrogate younger brother! Because who doesn't want a little brother to torment and shower with gifts? Besides, Thea was never okay with being the youngest in this Queen family thing so Roy got the short stick apparently. And perhaps having made a mistake in having mentioned he wanted to impress a certain someone. Which meant gifts were on the way. Multiple..

Thea is driving today, a glance out the window. "I always say this, but it's true. No gloomer city than Gotham..." she comments to Alexander with a sigh. "So edgy.. But anyway, we are meeting Roy." a look to Alexander, "Have *you* met with him?" she then asks. She never knows who Alexander may know or not.

The drive continues and then they finally arrive, Thea leading the way into the Batburger. And yes, she is full dressed in designer clothes. As expected. Tight jeans and boots, a nice wooly sweater and a long jacket that's finished with a nice, elegant echarpe around her neck. Stylish. She notes Roy and starts on her way there.

"Someone was hungry.." she comments about Roy already being on his way to getting through his first burger!

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "Yeah," Alexander turns his head to the side as Thea drives, "We went to the same school for like... half a year." The young Olympian shifts in his seat, lightly toying with his seat belt, then tilting his head back toward Thea. "I think we all met once. Your brother was there too."
    They make the turn off on the exit, heading to that street light at the end of the ramp. A small enough pause for him to add, "I think back then he was thinking we were going to start dating. So he was giving me the stink eye." Which is never good from Ollie.
    Though once they've parked and had started getting out of the car, Alexander gains his feet and /streeeetches/ then adjust his sweater a little before he follows in to walk at Thea's side. He's not as fashionably inclined as Thea, but then again who is? Just blue jeans, and a black sweater are what he wears. Though a pair of worn leather shoes complete his ensemble. His coat and hat are left in the car for now.
    Once they're inside he gives a wave to Roy. The two hung out some back in Happy Harbor, but it's been a dog's age since they've seen each other. "Hey man."

Roy Harper has posed:
The young Outsider has already wolfed down one of the double Batburgers. He's whip thin, where does he put it? Brooding must burn a lot of calories. To be fair, so does running across rooftops, swooping across Gotham, and beating the shit out of like 10 dudes at once. The server gets a look of relief on her face to see someone who looks like they have money walk in because Roy ordered like $30 worth of food and told her 'My sister'll be here. She's gonna pay for it.' If he wasn't so easy on the eyes, he probably would be waiting hungrily right now.

A big smile blooms over Roy's features. Hopefully Alex doesn't mistakenly think the smile is for him. Rather, Roy stands up and walks to meet Thea. "Hey, T," he says, kissing her on the cheek. "How you been?"

Oh and Alexander gets a brief nod and a 'Hey.'

Thea Queen has posed:
"Ah, he does that a lot.." Thea replies to Alexander with a small nod as they walk in, ".. look at it on the bright side though, could had been worst." it could too! Ollie can brood and make others feel uncomfortable like none other. Well, maybe Batman can too.

But then they are in, and Thea is smiling radiantly at Roy. "Hello Roy." She returning the kiss. All very european too! So fashion. She then taking the young man by the shoulders to watch his features and overall posture. Maybe looking for bruises who knows! She does that a lot... A nod later she seems satisfied with what she sees. "Gotham hasn't swallowed you up yet I see." she tells him, "I am told you two have met?" she nodding to Alex and then looking back to Roy. "It's good, no need for awkward intros then. Are those burgers for us or do we need to order some for ourselves too.." a brow arching. Yes, she knows how hungry Roy can get.

"Anyway, I brought you gifts but they are in the car. Too many to be bringing in here." uh-uh ...

"Now lets sit and get comfortable." She suggests, moving to sit down at a chair.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    There's no negativity in Alex, though he does shoot a small look sidelong at Thea and raises his eyebrows just silently noting the moment before he turns to look back toward Roy. Still smiling, though maybe biting the corner of his lower lip subtly.
    "Yeah, Happy Harbor. Good to see you, Roy. You seem to be doing well for yourself," A smile given easily enough with that casual calm. Alexander eases into a seat beside Thea, though likely equidistant between her and Roy. A brief moment of him touching her hand in a small squeeze of fingers before he turns back.
    "I can always go grab some if needs be," Food that is. He glances sidelong towards Thea, "You know what you want?"

Roy Harper has posed:
Roy looks down at his food then looks up at Thea. "Well...I haven't eaten anything since last night. I was planning on eating all of this," he replies as he sits down protectively in front of his yet-to-be-paid-for haul. In fact, at that moment the employee brings over Roy's unpaid bill and sets it on the table. "Just for, you know know, whenever you get to it," the server says and then slinks away. Roy peers hopefully at Thea. "I don't have any money on me." 'on me' he says. He probably doesn't have any, period.

"Yeah, s'been a couple years since Crappy Harbor," Roy says to Alexander. "So you and Thea, huh?" He smirks and looks to Thea. "Has Romeo here met Ollie yet?" he asks with a laugh in his voice. Then back to Alexander. "Ollie /loves/ Thea's boyfriends. Just...just love 'em to death."

Thea Queen has posed:
Oh, that server ain't getting off easy. Thea looks positively draconian when she settles her gaze on the employee, "He will get to it when we are done eating." there's a finality to that tone which brooks little further discussion. "Now be a dear and bring us menus." she tells the waiter, a smile that would look fitting on a shark. A protective one? Well, yes.

It's only when the server is gone that she looks back to Roy, "Roy." she says, "You know you are a Queen in everything but name. Money doesn't have to be a problem." she then reaching to steal a couple of fries from Roy's plate. He doesn't need all of those! A grin to Alexander and she offers him a fry. Generous. "Don't worry, Alex. Roy is just saying that. It's not as if Ollie will drag you to some dark cave to strangle you.." she says with a lift of her shoulders. "At least I don't think so.." a teasing wink.

"And Ollie does the same with yours, Roy. So you are not one to talk. Which speaking of..." and she leans forward, elbows on the table, "Tell us all about it."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "I've met him once, but I think it'll be ok." There's that just so calm way of him, this Alexander jerk. Even at Happy Harbor when dinosaurs were running up and down the halls, he seemed to just take things as they come. No hint of anxiety or fear when all heck was busting loose. And now, even meeting an adopted brother that might not be the most approving...
    But he does half-grin back at Thea as she offers him one of her purloined fries and takes it and takes a bite, chewing for a time. His attention flits back to Roy and listens as Thea tells him that he indeed shouldn't worry about money being a problem. It's more curiousity in Alex's pale hazel eyes than anything else, likely not having a horse in this particular race, but then there's mention of strangling in caves and he crinkles his nose at Thea.
    But when the discussion of who Roy is going out with, Alex finds his chance to give the two of them some time without some outsider around. He leans forward and takes up Roy's check. "I'll grab this and go take care of it. Thea if the waiter comes back you know what I like?"
    That said he pushes himself to his feet and heads over to the counter, bill in hand as he digs into his back pocket for his wallet.

Roy Harper has posed:
That same sour looks that always comes over Roy's face when the subject of money comes up once again crosses his features. "C'mon, Thea," he says in objection. But his tone is gentle. He really cares for his sister. Sure, they're not blood siblings, but Roy doesn't make that distinction. "We talked about this. What am I gonna do, carry around a credit card and buy shit that Oliver pays for like I was his bitch or something?"

In the foster homes, you ate fast or you went hungry. When Thea playfully pilfers some fries, it triggers something in Roy's brain that he doesn't even realize is being triggered. The subconscious fear of going hungry? Maybe that might register in the air to Alexander. He starts to quickly eat the rest of his fries.

"His name is Franklin," Roy says about the subject of his recent date. "Franklin Richards." He smirks a little. "Yes, /that/ kind of Richards. I dunno. We had pizza and played some arcade games." Despite Roy's best efforts to keep it away, a small grin creeps across his face. "Kissed. It was a really nice night. He's a cool dude."

Thea Queen has posed:
"There's a difference between being a bitch and being too prideful to even use some of that money to eat." Thea points out. It also doesn't seem like it's a new discussion. Raining on the wet or something like that. But Thea still tries. "Also, we missed you at christmas dinner. Felicity was there, you know? She misses you too." she comments, stealing another fry with quite the deft kind of maneuvers that tells she is quite proficient in pilfering.

As Alex suggests going up to take care of the food. "Sure, if you want. You can order for us too. I will just have a burger. The Batgirl one." she watching Alexander walk off before a smile is returned to Roy.

"Franklin, is it?" She arches a brow, "I know who it is." of course she would, being a jet-setter! "I am glad it went well, should I prepare Ollie so as to not strangle him when they meet?" she teases.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    For a time Alexander is up there at the counter. He spares a smile to the waitress and can be seen gesturing to the table to the side. The waitress smiles back and nods as she takes out her little pad of paper and starts writing down the order. It only takes a handful of minutes all told, enough time for the others to chat a bit without him around.
    But, eventually, he gives the server some money, then pockets his wallet and starts to head on back. Though his return is delayed as he navigates around a tourist family that's standing in front of the counter and trying to find a seat for all their little sproglings.

Roy Harper has posed:
Roy bats the back of Thea's hand as she takes more fries. It's all in play. Despite his badly wired brain, he would give his last bit of food to Thea if she needed it. He looks earnestly at Thea. "How do I do it?" he asks genuinely. "I mean I would feel stupid just going up to him and saying 'Hey, Ollie. I know you saved my life and kept me off the streets and put me in one of the best schools money can buy. But could I also get some cash?'" He frowns slightly. There's a huge disconnect going on inside of his head that he's not socially sophisticated enough to resolve.

"Franklin's great. Even Ollie couldn't dislike him," the young man replies. He sees Alexander navigating his way back to the table. "What about this one?" he asks Thea. "He good to you? If he wasn't I would say that Ollie's a bad enemy to have, but frankly /you're/ a bad enemy to have."

Thea Queen has posed:
"That's your problem. You know you don't need to ask. But, worry not, I may have a solution." Thea replies to Roy with a cheshire smile on her expression. So mysterious! Her gaze strays back to Alex while he fends off with the tourist family, "Yea, Alex's good." she tells Roy, her smile deepening a touch, "But don't underestimate Ollie's capability to hate. I am sure he will find a flaw or three in Franklin." so little faith that Thea has in her big brother!

And with Alex returning Thea smiles up at him, "There you are. We were talking about you on your back." she blatantly tells him, "Gossiping about all the juicy secrets." she sagely nodding afterwards.

"Now, which one of you will tell me about your adventures in that Happy Harbor school, mmm?" she looking between them.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    Catching only the tail end when Thea shifts focus and addresses him, Alexander eases into his seat once again, leaning over to /thump/ his chair against hers as if it were accidental and _not_ reprisal for that comment about talking about him behind his back and all those damn juicy secrets. "Oh sorry, didn't see you there."
    He then grins brightly into her eyes, crinkling his nose a little playfully before he tilts his head back toward Roy. "Did she tell you about how I ran into her at her club again and how it's /still/ not open, after like five years? It's crazy." Every time he mentions it the club takes longer and longer to open.
    But then he leans against the table, resting his arms on it and tilts his head toward Roy. "Roy and I were in different grades. I was wrapping things up and he was just arriving. We only hung out like... I think three times or so. But our friends knew each other."
    A look is given back to Thea, brow furrowing before he tilts his head back to Roy. "Did you go to prom that year?"

Roy Harper has posed:
It's not Alexander exactly that Roy seems to object to. Maybe it's the Happy Harbor talk. Seems like Happy Harbor memories aren't necessarily happy for Roy. He shrugs one shoulder absently. "I don't dance," he says tersely. There's our true Roy right there: sardonic, distant, untrusting. Despite his mere nineteen years he's seen a lot of evil, beat up a lot of evil, and even killed some evil. Sitting around reminiscing about high school isn't exactly his jam.

But then the look in his eyes softens a bit, like maybe he quickly regrets acting like a dick just then, especially if this is a dude that Thea really likes. But you know what else isn't Roy's jam? Apologizing. So instead he crams his mouth full of burger so he doesn't have to say anything.

Thea Queen has posed:
"It's only been one year." Thea's look grows somber, and it's almost as if she could throw daggers out of her eyes. So similar to her big brother too. "And it will be opening soon. As you saw when you were there." she tells Alexander with a raised brow that is somewhat challenging. "You will be welcome there, of course." she then says to Roy. "And you -could- work for some of that money if working at a club was your jam, Roy." she offers to the young man. She says it right as he's cramming his mouth with burger. Because she's evil.

"And here I was thinking you'd have nice stories for me. Like the school being close to exploding or stuff like that. I have always heard the best rumors about that place..." she comments, taking another fry while their own plates don't arrive.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    As Thea gives him the stink eye, Alex's smile grows a little wider, amused clearly at drawing that ire albeit playfully. He looks across he way toward Roy as if to seek support there, but he's not likely to get it. So instead he tilts his head back toward Thea and murmurs, "Oh sorry, a year. I get that confused."
    He looks back at Roy as indeed there are no stories forthcoming from that quarter, so instead he offers one of his own. "Well, when I first got there..."
    He leans to the side and rests an arm on the back of Thea's chair, giving her arm a small squeeze as he shifts his gaze between the two of them. "They had cheerleader try outs, and some of the people there convinced me to go for it. That was kinda fun."
    His eyes lift upwards, "Or there was the time that that Wizard guy attacked Heidi in the parking lot. That was how we found out she was an Asgardian." He might actually be playing a little loose with the truth there, since he had known she was an Asgardian before it.
    A beat, then he snaps his fingers, "Oh hey, there was the day that crazy gal showed up and tried to pick a fight with like, /everyone./"

Roy Harper has posed:
There is a tiny jolt from Roy when Alexander snaps his fingers and the off-duty Outsider's gaze locks on Alex's fingers. Jumpy much? A little PTSD perhaps? He draws a deep breath and lets it out slowly. No threat here. Don't mind the epinephrine now coursing through Roy's system.

"I'll help out at the club, Thea," he says after swallowing the heroic volume of food he managed to stuff in his mouth. "You know that. You don't gotta pay me. You're family."

He shifts his attention back to Alexander. "Were you one of the dudes who painted /everything/ in Professor Teefing's classroom white? Like /everything/...the desks, the chairs, the pencil sharpener, the trashcan...everything?"

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "Nah," Alexander responds with an easy smile, "I was a good kid. Seriously." A look is given to Thea before he confides, "My dad is a real... stickler for respecting authority. So I was all, yes ma'am, no ma'am, when Ms. Macintyre would ask me things." And considering who Alexander's father is, that might well make sense.
    At that moment the waitress returns carrying her tray of various lovely comestibles. The plates are set down between them and likely more fries are stolen in one direction or another. But after they've got their food copious amounts of eating go on as well as some measure of reminiscing.