9895/New and Old Friends

New and Old Friends
Date of Scene:	29 January 2022
Location:	Penthouse - Kord Co
Synopsis:	Beware the Lego Bots!
Cast of Characters:	Ted Kord, Courtney Whitmore, Booster Gold, Joan Wright

---

Ted Kord has posed:
Some time before... Ted explained again, "I want to you to find this person." He helds up a reasonable Blender model of the Star Spangled kid he totally did not cop from some fanperson on the internet in front of his face. B.O.B. 01 Head tilted a little.

"Wait... she's actually more like this," Ted said, dropping the picture to sternum level. "and she's... " Ted moved his hands up and down in parallel. "Petite."

The bot bobbed once and streaked off.

Sometime later, Ted was fiddling with a carburetor and seeing how fuel efficient he could make it. Also wondering where Booster was.

Courtney Whitmore has posed:
Sometime later, right after The Star Spangled Kid delivered a spinning roundhouse to a mook trying to mug a coffee shop, a bot showed up and got all in her face. "What the--?"

She spared a glance over towards the cop who had sat watching the entire affair while eating his donut, and waved imperiously to him. "Come on, I handled the tough part." And so as the cop begrudingly got up to arrest the would-be robber, the Star Spangled Kid strode out after the bot. She thought she knew the source, but just in case - "Who - do - you - work - for?" she said slowly, trying to encourage some kind of dialogue.

"Pat would kill me if he knew I followed some random robot. But whatever."

And thus, she finds herself in an elevator, somewhat relieved to see the name on the building is Kord Co and not not Killer Co. Or even scarier - Wayne Enterprises.

Ted Kord has posed:
Bobo of course doesn't take elevators. Well if he does, they're freight elevators. As the Kid comes up in the elevator he flies in and tugs on Ted's arm. He holds the picture up at the exact height. "Oh, the pace s a mess. Now?"

The Bots begin hustling picking up here and there. One snatches the carburetor. Another Purels Ted's hands. "Hey quite it, give me that! Ow!"

Courtney Whitmore has posed:
Stepping off the elevator, Courtney looks around, and then over at the source of the grumbling. "I don't know quite what I expected, but it certainly wasn't this!" She hops in, blond curls bouncing with each step, a bright smile on her face. "A pleasure to meet you again, Mr. Kord. Or do you prefer Beetle?" She looks around again, and then back to him. "You're lucky I was curious enough to follow this stalker. Where'd you get that picture from?"

Ted Kord has posed:
Ted Kord shrugs, grabbing his hands away from 03. "Oh you can find anything online. You even have a small fan community. Bobo1 looks back and forth between the picture and the 3D version pondering. He heads off with a couple more bots. The picture left behind.

"They're pretty good at image recognition. That costume helps. Not many people wearing stars, then you factor in height, build and likelihood of throwing a spinning kick... Ted is fine, Kid."

Courtney Whitmore has posed:
The fan community is apparently news to the girl. "I do??" Courtney practically bounces with enthusiasm. "How did you find them?"

She follows along after him. "Well, I guess, but still..." She nods. "Ok. Ted." She smiles. "So why are you sending creepy robots after me, Ted?" She grins.

Ted Kord has posed:
Ted Kord frowns. "I send invited out to a lot of people. Spider-Man drops in. We had Justice League a while back. As for creepy... in what way? They're built for practical reasons, not to resemble humans. Did he not behave himself? He can't talk. I didn't have room for a voicebox. He texts really well. I object about creepy. As robots go they're pretty innocuous. They built the Lego models in the lobby, I don't know if you noticed. They wouldn't harm a hair on your head."

Courtney Whitmore has posed:
Courtney Whitmore giggles a bit. "You're so sensitive. Just like Pat." She shakes her head again, and waves her fingers at the robot. "Actually, I think they are adorable." She looks around again, eyeballing various pieces of furniture. "But seriously. Did you just want to chat? Want me to train you in some of my sweet moves?" She demonstrates the spinning takedown she used in the restaurant, managing to not quite tip over the stool behind her. "Ooops."

Booster Gold has posed:
Walking into the room with a towel running through his blonde hair and another wrapped around his waist, Booster Gold cannot help but overhear some of the trailing bits of conversation. "Yeah, Ted. Don't be a Pat!" He seems perfectly content with the current situation. For some reason. "And I don't recall ever seeing Spider-man here."

Ted Kord has posed:
A bot steadies the wobbling stool, giving Courtney a thumbs up. It then zips back to one of the workshops.

"Hey I made them myself! You'd be protective of your own bots. Besides there are a lot of AI bigots out there. I... I have sweet moves thank you. I usually don't stop bullets. If you need any help with tech issues I'll be glad to help you. And please feel free to use the trampoline and trapeze if you want. I... the heck did those bots go? They're usually serving beverages by now."

"You should stay home more. He's around," he tells Booster.

Courtney Whitmore has posed:
"AI bigots?" Courtney looks confused. "DOES. NOT. COMPUTE." she says in the sort of artificially robotic voice that robots haven't used in 20 years. "And I don't know that my tech could really be reverse engineered. It's not even really...tech?" She shrugs. "It has its own kind of AI, honestly - but I don't think it's artificial." She taps her belt buckle for a moment.

A glance is spared towards Booster, and then back towards Ted. She raises an eyebrow. "So. You wanted me to come and do some trampoline acts for you two?"

Booster Gold has posed:
There is a look on Booster's face. He looks at Ted. He looks at Courtney. He looks at Ted again. "Ted. She has seen through your plan." He walks over to disappear behind the bar for a moment.

Ted Kord has posed:
Ted Kord's a little worried by the bots and now Booster disappearing. The girl is a little in your face.

Without a word, he walks over to the trampoline and grabs the frame to hoist himself into a handstand. He flips onto the trampoline and bounces through a couple flips and tumbles before springing up and grabbing the trapeze. Swinging slightly, he holds his arms out in a silent ta-dah. "No need to. Just offering. I like trapezes. I couldn't fly most of my career. Where did you get the belt if I may ask?" Pat?"

Courtney Whitmore has posed:
Watching Ted do gymnastics is far more reasonable than whatever Booster is doing, so that is where Courtney's attention remains. "Not bad. Not bad at all." She gives an appraising nod, followed by a smile. "And I can't really talk about it. Sorry. But even where I got if from - he doesn't know where it came from either. I don't think."

Booster Gold has posed:
Emerging from behind the bar in his full glory, Booster Gold nods to the two of them. "You all enjoy your "gymnastics". I gotta go make an appearance at a real sport. They are letting me participate in a half-time show. Gonna promote the app." Booster takes a couple of quick steps and then floats off towards the exit.

"Skeets, don't be a perv."

The golden robot floats out from a hiding spot. "I was just checking the floor for dust mites, sir!" protests the robot.

And as suddenly as he appeared, Booster Gold is flying off in his gold and blue powersuit.

(Y'all did realize that was what I meant by his full glory, right? Pervs.)

Ted Kord has posed:
Ted Kord says, "I think I do pretty good for a guy who has to manage personal training, first responder training, maintenance of a really expensive flying bug mecha, and looking after a lot of employees. Not to mention I build really nice bots."

"Unknown tech can be troublesome. Be careful. Sometimes it's like some Victorian types trying to make a TV work, other times it's Victorian types with an atomic reactor. I mean it took me years to test and vet my aero-discs and there are still issues there. Those are Fourth World tech."

Courtney Whitmore has posed:
A slow nod, as Courtney pats her belt. "Well. I don't think that the technology in here is right for the time when it was created, either, so maybe it's got some Fourth or Fifth world tech in it. I don't know." She glances over towards Booster as he leaves, nodding, and then turns her gaze back to Ted. "Good combination, though - gadgets and skill."

Ted Kord has posed:
Ted Kord shrugs. "It works within my limits. I mean I'm neither Batman or Tony Stark. Nothing helped me when Doomsday got his paws on me. I try to improve my act all the time. That's all that can be asked of you. You learn as you go along... mind a piece of advice?" His tone is serious now. He has that, 'In my day...' tone calculated to get a young person's eyes rolling.

Courtney Whitmore has posed:
Courtney Whitmore nods slowly along with Ted. "Right, right. Of course." She crosses her arms under her chest, and watches him carefully. "Sure. I'm all ears." Her tone is a bit impertinent, like she is already prepareing a retort or defense of whatever 'advice' he is about to give.

Ted Kord has posed:
Ted Kord flips off the trapeze onto the trampoline and bounces onto the couch. "Okay relax... this is not a criticism. I make mistakes too, Lord knows. Ask Batman some time. In a robbery case like the one we worked on, it is usually better to let the crooks leave the building, then jumped the mooks. Even cops do this. Batman... well he's the master of this stuff. He just works his way from the rear lookout on up. Anyway, That's my advice. You certainly have the moves and the attitude for this. You will learn."

Courtney Whitmore has posed:
"Huh." Courtney ponders this. "But if they got to the van, it'd be harder to pull down. And what if they damaged the stuff they were stealing?" She considers this again. "No, honestly, I like my way. My style kind of works with parkour, honestly." She smiles. "Maybe your generation likes it easier, but it was more fun for me that way."

Ted Kord has posed:
Ted Kord is about to speak and then says, "My generation... We're ten years apart maybe? We're not cell phones or computers! Okay well... the merchandise s insured. A little damage, no biggie if anything does get damaged. As for the van... deflate a tire or two. Your life is very precious. I know the impulse to help people but you aren't going to help anyone flat on your back with tubes in you. It's no joke. At least think about what I said. If you want I'll ask Spider-Man to give you his opinion." A small bot comes over and begins tugging plaintively on Ted's arm. It points to Courtney and then a room down the hall.

Courtney Whitmore has posed:
"I don't need anyone else's opinions." Courtney's face is getting a little flushed. "If you're really only ten years older than me, then why are trying to tell me what to do like my step-dad?" Something touched a nerve, as she advances on Ted. "I've worked my ASS off to learn how to make use of the abilities I have with the belt, incorporated my existing skills, learned new ones. Despite what you might think, I didn't /need/ your help back there, and was doing just fine with out." She points her finger up at Ted. "I am just as capable, and would appreciate that respect!"

She glances down at the bot. "Your robot wants your attention." The tone on that isn't much better.

Ted Kord has posed:
Ted Kord says, "It doesn't hurt to hear other people. Anyway, no disrespect intended. I never said you needed my help or anyone else. I was glad to assist. What is it Number 10?" He gets up and walks toward the existing door and opens it to take a peek, glad to put a little distance between him and the irate super. His back stiffens and he sticks his head in further. Then he looks again before turning to look at Courtney.

"Okay be mad later... take a look in here." He steps back.

Courtney Whitmore has posed:
Her face may have been red, but it fades quickly enough as Ted beckons her. "What is it?" asks Courtney, as she moves quickly to follow after him, that bounce in her step from her arrival back quickly enough. Curiousity it always enough to put her back into a pleasant mood.

Ted Kord has posed:
Ted Kord opens the door all the way. Inside the missing robots are quickly joined by No. 10. There are bins stacked to the ceiling and open on the floor of Legos. The bots finish their project as the humans watch. It is a life-size Lego statue of the Star Spangled Kid. Ted beams.

Courtney Whitmore has posed:
The expression on Courtney's face is not exactly beaming. Not displeasure, either. It seems there are two emotions battling it out - excitement at being inspiration for a life size Lego, and puzzlement. She turns her gaze to regard Ted. "Why did they build me?" She seems a bit guarded when asking the question, but there is still a bit of excitement behind it that she is not quite able to mask.

Ted Kord has posed:
Ted Kord says, "One second... please. He pulls a pone out. "Joan, Beetle. I'm sending you a screen shot." He does so of the statue. "What do you... hello? Hello?" He looks over at Courtney. "I'm calling the bots' auntie. This is more her line." To answer you question, I have no idea why. This is the second statue they made on their own.The first is a new, improved Kord Co. building we have on display in the lobby. They're just getting creative. I have no idea where they get it from. Maybe your costume hit a button or that belt."

Courtney Whitmore has posed:
Tapping her chin for a moment, Courtney studies the Lego facsimile of her. "I mean. It's cute. And it does follow the source material." She takes a step forward, moving around the statue and looking at it intently. "But I still question why."

Ted Kord has posed:
Ted Kord says, "When I know, I'll tell you. Come here Bobo. He'e the oldest. Hey text me. Right now. Why are you modeling this young lady?" He peers at his phone.

"<Imminently model subject.>

"Why her and not me?"

"<Not enough blue.>"

"Why not model Ms. Wright? She'd love this." "<Cargo pants TOO hard.... Addendum, Star Spangled Kid also requires much less bricks than modeling creator.>" Ted was holding the phone for Courtney to see the exchange. He slowly steps back.

Courtney Whitmore has posed:
Courtney Whitmore blinks at the phone. "Are they...." She pauses. "Are they short shaming me?" Courtney looks over at the bots and frowns a bit. "I'm not sure that my ego can handle much more of this, Mr. Beetle." She appears to be considering a spinning round kick at the statue from the way her body tenses and starts bouncing.

Ted Kord has posed:
Ted Kord shakes his head. "They think in engineering terms. There is no shaming involved. Trust me. And... has someone been short shaming you? Because you handle yourself quite appropriately, much the way the Black Canary does and I mean there's always... please, don't smash the statue. I'd like to put it on display, if you'd permit it."

Courtney Whitmore has posed:
That seems to perk Courtney up. "You think I handled myself like Black Canary?" Her eyes go a bit wide - clearly there is a lot of familiarity and likely not small amount of worship there. "I mean, she is way better at this than I am and has been around a lot longer, so I wouldn't expect to be at her level, but..." Courtney trails off. "You're just saying that to distract me." she accuses. The spinning round house is still not quite out of the question.

Joan Wright has posed:
The elevator door dings open. Inside a brown-haired woman dressed in work boots, cargo pants, and a long sleeved blue workshirt steps out. Strapped to her belt, a white hard hat hangs along with a pair of safety glasses, and work gloves. It DOES appear that Joan may have been town for some emergency repair work. Or one would hope as she's currently lifting a hand up to swipe back the short strands of hair behind her ear in an attempt to offset some of the helmut hair.

"Hi Ted. I came over as soon as I could." Joan calls out, "Fortunately the team had a speedster on it today." As the architect comes around the doorway, she gets sight of Courtney. "...Oh! So this was a recent build?"

Ted Kord has posed:
Ted Kord shakes his head. "I would never. First there's enough video of her beating on people. I can show you some. She is fantastic though. She does a lot of kicks like you. She wears special wedges I think which Ow. Though she throws a mean punch. Now you would think throwing a punch is a matter of muscle mass and size but the major determinant of kinetic energy is speed. Someone like Canary or you is fast. You know how to throw your whole weight behind a punch..." He trails off as Joan arrives. Yay Joan!

"They just finished it, Joan. This is Joan, this is the Star Spangled Kid, whom I seem to have rubbed the wrong way since we met. Sorry Kid."

Courtney Whitmore has posed:
Watching Ted as he talks through his points, Courtney seems unconvinced. Then Joan walks in. She turns and beams a bright smile at the newcomer. "Hi Joan! I'm C--" She pauses. "Right, Star Spangled Kid!" She grins for a moment. "Tell Mr. Beetle that he shouldn't be talking about our weight." She glances at the statue, and then goes and stands next to it, adopting a matching pose as the bricks. Maybe she is enjoying this. Just a little.

Joan Wright has posed:
"Nice to meet you, Star Spangled Kid." Joan responds, pausing momentarily as she considers the momentary slip of names. A brow lifts at the mention of weight being talked about. A head turns to look towards Ted. "...I believe he's been informed about that already."

She steps closer, inspecting the statue and then looking to the apparent model. Her lips curl to a contented smile, "We have some very talented bots in the building. Very nicely done."

Ted Kord has posed:
Ted Kord shows Joan the text from Bobo. "It was just an estimated number of bricks required for each figure. She being petite, decided them that she was the best case. It was a matter of comparing volumes. ... that number can't be right for you, Joan. They do this. Courtney... would you consider all is forgiven if I get you a meeting with the Black Canary? You'll see everything I said about comparing you to her is true. I'll see if she can meet you."

Joan Wright has posed:
As the text is displayed to her, Joan's eyes drift down to peruse the contents. As Ted explains what it is she's looking at, her smile fades. Her eye tics. Slowly her head turns to look towards the nearest bot.

"You mean to tell me..." She starts, voice incredulous, "That you have been building these completely solid?"

Ted Kord has posed:
Ted Kord says, "Judging from the weight of the building they made, I'd say so. I'm not picking up her statue, lessee... given volume... number of brucks... yeah they're doing them solid. I haven't taught them a lot of engineering." He taps one of the statue's arms and it promptly falls to the floor and shatters.

"You guys can't build solid. It weighs too much to support said volume..." He ducks as a number of bricks are hurled at him. "Hey you want your stuff to fall apart?!" The bots cease the attack to make repairs. Bobo pats Courtney's shoulder, making sure her arm is on tight.

Courtney Whitmore has posed:
"Careful with my fake arm!" Courtney says, with a grin. She nods to Joan, watching her assess the statue. "I haven't even been here that long, so unless Mr. Beetle has had photos of my plastered on his wall for a while, they did this in about 20 minutes or so."

Turning her gaze towards Ted, she offers a smile. "Arrange a meeting with the Black Canary, and you are more than forgiven." She winks at him. "But for now, I have to head home." She looks to Joan. "Nice meeting you!"

Looking back to Ted, she nods. "I'll jot my number down out there so you don't have to send stalker robots after me next time." And with that, the bouncing blonde curls bound out.

Joan Wright has posed:
"It is still impressive." Joan concedes.

Joan hadn't tried lifting the building theat was built earlier, but when Ted confirms her suspicions, she sighs. When the bricks start flying, Joan's eyes widen once again. "BAILEY! APOLOGIZE!" She looks to the other bots, "As for the rest of you. Let's go over some building tips." She gestures over to the area where the remaining tubs of LEGOs are and strides over, expecting them to follow suit.

Ted Kord has posed:
Ted Kord watches Joan interacting with his bots. He notices the smile on his face after a few moments. The bots doing as asked.

"You know... I saved that dress from the Hellfire Club Mardi Gras. You could change and get a statue out of it. I don't have the shoes. Sorry."

The bots look at Joan...