Owner	Pose
Roberto Da Costa	Who names their kid Tinsley? His mother's friend apprently which was enough to make him question his mother's typically sound judgement but then she went the extra mile to set him up with her on his birthday before heading out of town for a couple of days. Though with nothing going on at the school, and Sam doing Sam things with 'Alexgra' he figured there were worse way to spend his birthdays than going with a pretty if vapid girl checking out a Sorority-Frat run mixer at one of Gotham's U's frat houses. The music was bumping the always classic 24k Magic (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqyT8IEBkvY) by Berto's spirit animal Bruno Mars. Though he wasn't dancing, he was 'listening' to Tinsley and her friends, which for his part involved a lot of nodding and 'uh-huh's' while he scoped out the rest of the party hoping Stephanie wasn't here. He had to miss their date on Saturday due to a thing at his school and he felt slightly bad for not trying to make it up to her. She was cute. He sips his drink frowning, "Right, dry party," he mutters to himself, and them smiling when Tinsley looks his way. "Great party," he says nodding vaguely. "One sec, need some more, um ice for my drink," he slips away, and when a safe distance out adds the ice, though in this case the ice is booze that he pours from his flask into his red solo cup.
Stephanie Brown	It was pretty rare for Stephanie Brown to get invited out to a party. Even rarer to get invited to a college party at Gotham U. Rare to the point of this was a first time thing for the high school girl. As it turned out, this particular party was being jointly hosted by a fraternity and sorority together, and was a dry party limited to non-alcoholic drinks. A part of an agreement the members of Gotham U's Greek system had made to host a few such parties after one organization had gotten in trouble for hazing and nearly brought the entire system to being shut down at the school. Since they had to do it, it was being embraced as a recruiting tool as well. In this particular case, it meant a pair of former members of the gymnastics team at Stephanie's high school, who were now sophomores in the sorority, had given some invites to girls they knew who were looking at Gotham University. Stephanie had been on decent terms with one in particular, and scored an invite. After a long session of holding up clothes to herself in the mirror. After a few trial runs, Stephanie had decided on a light beige top with laces across the v-neck, and a pair of black jeans that she'd always felt fit her particularly well. One last glance over her shoulder at her backside in the mirror (https://i.imgur.com/SAkr5hM.jpg) and Stephanie was ready to go. "Going to knock them dead," she tells herself. Standing outside the fraternity house, Stephanie looked up at the large building. "So not going to knock them dead," she says to herself with a worried sigh. She feels as in her element as the proverbial fish on its bicycle. But Stephanie forces a smile to her face and walks up and into the party. "I just hope Tinsley isn't here. She's here. She's surely here. I think her mother was in this sorority," she says, seeing the banner at the entrance. The party is at a fraternity house, but the sorority is co-hosting it.
Roberto Da Costa	Berto's freedom from Tinsley and her crew is short lived, he's barely able to put his flask away before his arm is grabbed by his date and he's dragged back over to the circle of girls, that now included some guys, big jock types, the sort that looked like they played the non-European style football. He pounds fists with them while Tinsley gushes about how Berto goes to a fancy private school up in Westchester and his dad's a billionaire. He can practically hear the 'and I will be too when we get married, hee he hee' at the end of that. He hangs his head, peeking at his phone wondering if he texted Steph right now, if he could slip out and meet her for a proper birthday date before it hit twelve and his 19th birthday was a total bust. He didn't get the chance, before he could tap button one on his phone he was dragged off to the dance floor by Tinsley and her squad of high school harpies.
Stephanie Brown	The party environment is really nice, especially to someone like Stephanie who hasn't been to anything remotely close to this before. The house is pretty fancy, and they decorated it nicely in Gotham U's colors. After talking to a greeter from the sorority, Stephanie makes her way through the house. Stopping and picking up a glass of some fruit punch, with an apology that it had to be dry which got a smile and laugh from Stephanie, she wanders slowly through the house. Up ahead is a room with dancing. Stephanie moves into it, looking about for people she might know, the special effects lighting making it difficult to make out faces as easily though. She takes a sip of her punch and says to herself, "Ok, might as well go and have fun, Steph." She begins to make her way out onto the dance floor. Meanwhile, one of Tinsley's hangers on reaches over to tug on the arm of the clique leader. "You'll never guess who is here," she says, nodding with her head over across the dance floor towards a blond who is just moving out amongst the dancers, cup still in hand.
Roberto Da Costa	Berto had largely tuned out Tinsley and her friends, preferring to listen to the music, and dancing. He does glance towards the girl that Tinsley and her friend were pointing at. blond hair cup in hand but she's got her back to him. He frowns and looks away. "Who is that?" he asks Tinsley still moving to the music even though his date had stopped in the middle of the floor to stare at the blonde. High school girls... this was why he really should date up. He's nearly died for goodness sake, trained to become a hero since he first started shaving, what did he have in common with high school kids besides class work?
Stephanie Brown	Tinsley gave a little scoffing laugh as she saw the blond, before the girl had turned around away from them. As Roberto asks, Tinsley gives a little shake of her head. "Girl from the gymnastics team at my school. She's really good. Like, /really/ good. But that's about her only redeeming quality. Poor girl. And that's not me be superficial, either, she just, wreaks of 'poor', in all the worst ways," Tinsley says. Being very superficial. Tinsley shakes her head and says, "I was just thinking of how much we have in common," she tells Roberto, batting her eyes at him. She does have lovely hazel eyes, and with her looks it's easy to tell how she became head of this little group of catty women. Tinsley moves to dance over closer to Roberto. "I think this could be the start of something good, don't you?" she asks the man who is her rival in the attractiveness department. Over across the dance floor, someone leans closer to say something to the blond. She turns around, Stephanie Brown giving the nerdy boy a warm smile that would leave him feeling good even as she shakes her head and says something to him. He shrugs but has a bit of a smile anyway as he turns away to go back to dancing with his friends. Stephanie dances slowly, sipping her drink, and apparently by herself over there.
Roberto Da Costa	Someone needed to get Tinsley a dictionary, cuz yeah the irony was pretty thick with the comments about the blonde. Roberto studies the girl across the party, something was familiar about her, and hey, he couldn't deny she had a great looking ass in those pants. "Dunno, she looks cute," he remarks to Tinsely. Certainly not what Tinsley wanted to hear he's sure, but a Roberto didn't care. He takes a big sip of his doctored punch. As for this being the start of something good? Roberto, gives a flat, "Maybe," only because he wasn't sure if he was going to go to the trouble of ditching this party or not. Though seeing the girl dancing alone made him frown, "Hey might as well invitte her over, she's on your team right?"
Stephanie Brown	Tinsley does her best not to react to Roberto's comments on the blond's appearance. To be honest if Tinsley ever thought of Stephanie Brown as attractive, she began believing her own putdowns of the other girl long enough ago to have forgotten it. "I suppose she can be passable when she needs to," Tinsley allows graciously. When Roberto actually wants to invite the blond over, Tinsley's smile has to become even more forced. "Of course. We wouldn't her to feel all alone over there, would we?" she says generously. "Marsha, why don't you go invite Stephanie to join us?" she says to one of her crowd. Marsha hasn't been paying attention, looks over to see Stephanie there. "Why?" she asks Tinsley. Tinsley just keeps the soft smile on her face, "Because we don't want her feeling left out. No go do it," she says, snapping a bit at the end. Marsha shrugs and nods, and goes over. She taps Stephanie on the shoulder, saying something to her and motioning over towards the group. Stephanie looks surprised, but then gives a little nod and follows along. The pair pick their way back through the dancers over to the little group that have staked out their area of the floor. Tinsley beams. "Stephanie! So glad you made it!" she says, almost as if she was hosting the party. She moves over to give Stephanie a quick hug, leaving the blond looking confused. "Um, thanks," she says. She hasn't seemed to pick out Roberto yet with the special effects lighting and there being a full on group there.
Roberto Da Costa	Roberto doesn't realize his mistake until Stephanie's half-way over to them and then he sort of wished he had Kitty's power or maybe Illy's just anything to get him the hell out of there right now. Sadly he didn't have either and it wasn't like he was going to blast his way out of here. Though when Tinsley goes in for that hug, Roberto takes his chance, turning and heading for the punch bowl like his half-full cup suddenly needed a refill. Please don't see me, please don't see me...
Stephanie Brown	She doesn't see him. Or at least, there's no cry of, "Hey you! Guy who blew me off!" Maybe she did see him. It's hard to tell without looking back. Stephanie accepts the hug from Tinsley, blue eyes already alert to how this is going to turn into a put down directed at her. Tinsley just smiles though and says, "Great that you're looking at Gotham U. Are you thinking about trying for the gymnastics team?" Stephanie replies hesitantly, "I've thought about it, but... not sure if I'll need the time for classes instead." And being a vigilante. "What about you?" Tinsley waves her hand. "Oh, gymnastics is just a silly high school thing for me. I was just telling Roberto-" she turns to show off Roberto and sees he isn't there. "Where'd he go?" she asks Marsha. The latter gives a shrug. "More punch I think?" she says.
Roberto Da Costa	Holy shit that worked. Roberto makes it to the punch bowl, ditches his cup then circles around towards the back door. Hey if he was going to piss off one girl might as well make it two to complete the set. He pauses at the door, this was not his finest moment, at the same time what was better going back and just shattering Stephanie's heart. At least in his opinion. He keeps going, circling around to where he parked the car, stopping there, holding his phone in his hand before he taps out a message: Hot Latino Guy >> Hey, I'm outside by the blue Maseratti Then all he can do is wait.
Stephanie Brown	Inside the party, Stephanie glances over towards the punch bowl, seeing a dark haired, well-built young man moving on past it and for the elsewhere in the house. She turns back to Tinsley and tries to make chitchat about whether this is her mother's sorority hosting the party. But Tinsley has begun to ignore her now the intended audience of her generosity with the poor girl isn't around. Stephanie lets out a quiet sigh and is just deciding if she should head off elsewhere on the dance floor, when her phone buzzes. She pulls it out and looks at it. Reading the message, she gets a curious look, and looks from the phone towards Tinsley, and her missing 'Roberto', and then towards the punch bowl. After a few more hesitant moments she taps a message back. > Outside? Outside where I am?
Roberto Da Costa	Yeah, he really should have just left this was going to be hard to explain. > Yeah. I'll explain in person. He sends the message and sits down on the hood of his car, one hand in his pocket fiddling with the keys, wondering if he should just go.
Stephanie Brown	It takes about five minutes and then there's Stephanie, coming out the door of the fraternity house. She has a light brown jacket she's pulled on overtop of her blouse against the cool evening weather. The blond girl looks about, not sure which way to go. Eventually she spots the figure of someone sitting on the hood of a car, one of the right shape. And as she draws closer, right color. Stephanie glances back at the house where the party is for a moment, and then back to Roberto, before walking over the rest of the way to him. "Hey," she says, sounding a little hesitant, and stealing glances at Roberto now and then as her eyes seem to search the Gotham night as if looking for answers, or piecing things together.
Roberto Da Costa	Damn. His jacket totally forgot his jacket. He shrugs, casualty of war. Though as Stephanie approaches he puzzles at her trying to decied how best to approach this come off like a stalker or just fess up with what was going on. "Yeah, I'm /that/ Roberto," he admits since the more he thinks about it the more he's sure he heard his name in there. "And sorry about our date Saturday like I said in my text something came up back at school."
Stephanie Brown	Stephanie slips her hands into her jacket pockets as she moves another couple of steps closer from where she'd stopped. She glances back towards the party one last time, and then over to Roberto. "And you're with Tinsley," Stephanie says with an understanding nod. "It's fine. She's a really... really great girl," Stephanie says, forcing herself to put a little extra into the statement to try to make it sound altruistic. "You two really look good together, I'm sure," she says, looking away and giving a little shrug. "It's fine. I won't say anything to her about it. I won't... won't mess up your thing together," she says, apparently having guessed at why Roberto would have texted her to come talk to him alone then. "You should probably get back in before she misses you," Stephanie says, taking a small step away on the sidewalk.
Roberto Da Costa	Roberto's nose crinkles a little, "Sort of?" he says before continuing. "Our parents know each other, my mom was going out of town so she set me up on this date to make up for missing my birthday," he says. "Which is tonight, anyhow didn't want to piss my moms friends off so I said yes."' As Steph starts to step back, Roberto steps forward putting a hand on her shoulder. "I know it seems like total bullshit, but seriously that's what happened, and I doubt you'd believe it but I was thinking about ditching and hanging out with you instead." He sighs, it all sounded like bullshit to him. "Anyhow not going back to the party, because god, she is a horrible person. I don't care if my mom's friends are mad"
Stephanie Brown	Stephanie stops as Roberto puts the hand on her shoulder, though she doesn't turn her head back to him yet as she listens to what Roberto has to say. Afterwards she hesitates, and one can pretty much imagine her brain whirring and trying to process this. Stephanie's eyes search the dark. She continues to hesitate for a moment as she works through what she's heard, and what she's feeling. "You don't have to, Roberto. Just because you saw me... you don't have to hang out with me or something. I didn't mean for you to feel put on the spot," she tells him, giving a little shake of her head and still not looking back to him since she had turned to go. "I won't say anything to Tinsley, or anyone. You should probably at least text her that you're leaving though," she says. "Because... because no one deserves to feel ditched."
Roberto Da Costa	Roberto can understand where Stephanie is coming from with the whirring thoughts., he would be right there with her in her shoes. No, actually he'd be telling them it was bullshit and walking away. So why wasn't she? He frowns., "Trust me, I'm not that good a guy to want to just come hang out of obligation," see exibit A him ditching Tinsely at the first possible moment. "Do feel bad about Saturday though and if you want to hangout, I'm game, I'll even text Tinsley that, I'm just guessing but she seems like the kind of girl that would go out of her way to make your life hell. So figured she's owed a little of that back."
Stephanie Brown	Stephanie Brown slowly turns finally to face towards Roberto. Her eyes look over his face, wishing she could tell if he was telling the truth. Wishing not for the first time that Batman had chosen to train her instead of telling her to get rid of her costume. Stephanie puts that thought out of her head. "I don't want to make her feel bad," Stephanie says. After a moment her eyes dart up and over to the side. "Not, too bad," she amends in a fit of honesty. "I kind of thought we had... had connected," she tells Roberto, her eyes dropping away from his. "And right now I'm feeling pretty... well... stupid, for having thought that. I kind of figured, when you canceled, that was the last I'd be hearing from you," she says. Stephanie bites her lip and looks up into the eyes of the taller boy. "Were you honestly wanting to hang with me? I mean, if you hadn't just run into me? Or was that going to be it?"
Roberto Da Costa	Roberto is the picture of honesty right now, though he has the sort of face that suggests he can make himself look like that whenever he wishes. No real help there. Guy has 'player' written all over him. There's a shrug for not wanting to make Tinsely feel too bad about things, he couldn't care either way, she semed like a horrible person which to Roberto meant she should be on the receiving end of horrible things... within limits anyhow but he leaves that be, sliding his phone into his pocket. "Yeah, really wanted to hang out, my school is weird, and I don't always get to be free when I want to be," oh god that sounds like he's going to reform school. "But I did want to go out with you, you seemed fun and like you said we connected the other day. So, yeah, if you want to hang out right now I'm game." He holds out his hand.
Stephanie Brown	Stephanie studies that player's face as Roberto tells her that what she'd thought she sensed with him was true. A few memories of herself accusing Tim Drake when she found him in the presence of another girl pop into her head. Well, though Roberto actually was there with her. Still, something about how it had felt that day at the coffee shop is still strong enough to sway her. Stephanie slowly reaches over and slides her hand into Roberto's. "Ok," she says finally. "I kind of have a bad history this... brushed up against," she says, blue eyes kind of darting about. "I really wanted to see you Saturday. And if you want to hang out together tonight, I'd like that a lot more than the party there. I just kind of went because I never had seen anything like it before," she admits. Stephanie glances around. "Want to get out of here? I kind of... think I'd just like to be away from the party for now?"
Roberto Da Costa	"Sorry," Roberto says of whatever issues all this brought up for Steph, ready to let that be the end of it, drive home, crash into bed and try to forget his birthday ever happened this year. Then she takes his hand. "Yeah, wanted to hang out Saturday too, and I definitely think we should get out of here," he says glancing back at the frat house. "And if you feel like checking another of these out," he reaches over and plucks a flier out from under his windshield. "Looks like there's two more in the next couple of weeks." He hands her it. "Maybe we can go to one," he says before digging into his pocket for the keys and hitting the button to unlock the doors and start the engine. ""For now, let's get gone, and worry about that another night." He goes around to open the passenger door for Steph, the car smelling of new leather interior.
Stephanie Brown	Stephanie's fingers curl and hook into Roberto's as he leads her to the car. She takes the flier and says, "If you'd like to go to one. I was enjoying the music," she tells Roberto as he opens the door for her. She looks at him for a moment and then leans over to brush a soft kiss to his cheek. It isn't a romantic kiss or even one that instills much anticipation for the rest of the night. But it might be enough to reset the moment for them both. "Happy birthday," she tells him before climbing in the car. Once inside, Stephanie belts up and waits for Roberto to head around and get into his car. "So, if you hadn't come here, what would you have wanted to do for your birthday?" she asks him. "And, that's what we can go do?"
Roberto Da Costa	"That could be fun," Roberto says of going to one of these parties. "Just hopefully with out your team hanging around," he says. "How did you manage to go to practice with those sorts of people?" he asks. The kiss on the cheek and the birthday wishes earn a smile from the Brazilian, even if it doesn't suggest the night is going to go as he might have hoped, though at this point, he'll take it. He liked Steph's company. "At this point, I just want to go and relax," he says about what he'd want to do for his birthday. "Roll by my mom's place, and see if we can find a movie or something?" he asks her.
Stephanie Brown	Stephanie turns in the passenger's seat to face towards Roberto. At the question about practicing with Tinsley and the other girls, Stephanie pauses a moment in thought before answering. "Well. I just really love gymnastics," she says in a rueful tone. "At least they really love winning. So I get support from them in that," she says. Stephanie leaves out that she's one of the better members of the team, by far. She gives a small nod and a smile at what Roberto comes up with. "That... that sounds like a really nice night. If we wouldn't be disturbing her," Stephanie says. She glances back towards the fraternity house as Roberto pulls the car away. "A lot of people don't really pick up on her, especially if she's into them," Stephanie says. She doesn't mention how much Roberto would be Tinsley's type. Hell, he'd define her type but she'd never probably met someone who fit quite to that degree before. Stephanie looks back over and asks, "So something at school was up on the weekend?"
Roberto Da Costa	"You really must," Roberto says as he pulls the car nimbly away from the curb and out into traffic gunning the engine a little as he does. "And heh, I bet they like to win, they did say you were really good though." "Uh, no definitely not disturbing her, she had to go out of town suddenly, my aunt her sister, was in a car accident, she's fine but she's going to be in the hospital for a couple more days so my mom is visiting. That's going to be okay right? Just us?" "I bet, I mean she's cute enough that most guys probably wouldn't see it coming but, I could practically hear her counting out my family's money in her head the whole time she was with me. Really sucked." "Yeah, some friends were having a hard time, they lost people recently, had to hang out and help them," he says. "Boarding school, remember, its basically a family," he says as they head deeper into Gotham to some of the nicer high rises in the city.
Stephanie Brown	Stephanie is paying more attention to Roberto than to the trip. She finds herself believing him. Though she also knows she wants to believe him. She wants to believe what she'd felt before was real, and returned. Stephanie gives a slow nod as Roberto tells her that his mother won't be there. "Sure, that's ok. I'm sorry to hear about your aunt," she says. Stephanie gives a wry, short chuckle about Tinsley counting out Roberto's money. "She definitely knows what she wants in life. And I imagine she'll probably get it someday," Stephanie says. After a few seconds she adds, "I didn't mean, not you specifically. Just, I know how people react to her. She'll find it sooner or later." Stephanie rests her hands in her lap. "Sorry about your friends. Hope they're ok," she says. She finally turns to look at where they are going, seeing that he's pulling into one of the nicer parts of town. "Actually, could we... would you mind if we stopped by my place real fast? It's... well, it's not on the way. I just need to run in and grab something though," she says. "Maybe about 15 minutes out of our way, over in Coventry?"
Roberto Da Costa	Roberto seems mostly drawn into his own thoughts as they drive "Thanks," he says of his aunt. "She'll be fine but it's good my mum is there to keep her company, spent a lot of time in the hospital last year, and if my best buddy Sam didn't come and hang out I would have gone nuts." "Well as long at what she gets isn't my family's money, she can do whatever she wants," he says. Though he nods when she said she didn't mean him specifically. "I figured. And yeah, she's hot, she'll find someone who can't get past that and take the sucker for half his cash in the divorce." "Yeah, they'll be alright," he says, "And sure we can make a stop, where in Coventry?" he asks and follows her directions.
Stephanie Brown	Stephanie guides Roberto to a small apartment complex. Coventry Gardens it is called. He might remember the sight from the picture that had her motorcycle in it. It's a collection of two-story townhomes and then three story buildings with regular apartment units in it. Stephanie has him pull up outside of one of the townhomes. "Be right back," she tells him, climbing out to jog inside, unlocking the door and letting herself in. An upstairs light comes on and there's a shadow of someone moving inside the room. Then the light goes back off and thirty seconds later, Stephanie is coming back out the door, waving to someone inside and hurrying back down the walk. She has a small plastic bag in hand. She goes around to the passenger side and climbs in again. "Thanks. And let my mom know I'd be out longer so she won't worry," Stephanie says, putting the bag down on the floor of the car near her feet. "So, you were saying, Sam? He goes to school there with you too? What's he like?" she asks once Roberto is able to get underway again back towards his mother's place.
Roberto Da Costa	Roberto frowns a little as they head deeper into well not the slums but somewhere where a Maseratti sort of stood out more than it did in say downtown Gotham, it put him on his guard. Still, he smiles when they find Steph's home. "Nice place," he offers and seems to mean it, the place looked well-cared for if not fancy. "Sure thing," Roberto says, eying the plastic bag she brings back with her. "What's that?" he asks her looking at the bag, as he starts the engine again. As for Sam, Roberto breaks into a grin, "Sam, Sam's awesome. dunno how to describe him, just a real solid friend, even though he's totally different from me. White kid out of coal country, has a huuge family, I dunno, we used to butt heads but over the years we've become best buddies," he says. "I'd be out with him tonight probably but he's got a new girl, you know how that can be? Sun rises and sets with her." He smiles taking them towards one of Gotham's posher neighbourhoods.
Stephanie Brown	Of the plastic bag, Stephanie just says, "Something for later. When we reach your mom's place." She gets buckled back up, and again turns sideways in her seat to face Roberto as they talk. The blond gets a soft smile at the description of Sam. "I think sometimes people like that, who are different, can really end up being a strong connection because of it." Stephanie adds, "Well, I hope he doesn't ignore you too much for her." She turns and watches as the buildings they pass by get nicer, the cars parked along the side of the road more expensive. The teen looks thoughtful for a moment. "You know... I'm sure Tinsley would have been a... a sure thing for you," she says quietly. Her eyes search about the interior of the car for a moment. Her mind completing the thought. But he chose to spend it with you tonight instead.
Roberto Da Costa	"Fine, keep your secrets then," Roberto smiles spitting out that Lord of the Rings meme. He doesn't seem to mind the mystery but his eyes keep glancing at the bag when they stopped. Definitely a rip the wrapping paper to peek before Christmas knd of guy. "Yeah, he difference thing is good, maybe that's why he likes this girl, she's rich too, which means Sam is going to thriiill, her daddy," to say nothing of the whole mutant situation. "Hope not too, everyone's coupling up at my school, it's sort of annoying." He pulls up to tall skyscraper, one that looks like it's got a view of Gotham Bay, he hits the clicker for the garage and drives inside. "This isn't even my mom's place," he says. "Friend of hers lent it to her while she looks for houses, it's like they say, the rich stay rich because they don't pay for anything." He didn't miss the comment about Tinsley though. "I know," is all he says of that situation before parking the car and getting out to lead her to the elevators and on up to the condo on the 23rd floor.
Stephanie Brown	The soft comment from Roberto at the end gets a small smile from Stephanie once he's out of the car. When he comes around to her side of the car, she grabs the bag and then rests her hand in his as she climbs out. "I suppose, I mean, if she HAS to live somewhere temporary... it's passable," Stephanie said while looking up, up, up at the huge building. "Bet there's quite the view from up there," she says more to herself than to Roberto, but it's audible enough. Stephanie will leave a finger or two hooked around Roberto's fingers if he doesn't let go as they head over to the elevator, and then on up. She steps in with him to glance around the place. "Wow," she says softly, looking around. "Was right about the view too," she says as she glances towards the windows, but will need to go over nearer to get a true look from them.
Roberto Da Costa	Roberto, does indeed leave Steph's hand in his when they head upstairs, smiling, "Right? Apparently Wayne Manor wasn't available," he says with a smile. Then they head on up and walk down the plush carpeted hallway to the door of the 'condo', it was a bit of a misnomer, but Steph was right, it did have a great view. https://torontocondoboutique.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/080414-Toronto-Condos.jpg "I know it's not much but it's pretty good for short notice," he says, dropping his keys in the little dish by the door. He kicks off his shoes. "So, take a look around, I'll see if I can work the remote. Still on for movies?" he asks smiling as he no sells the impressiveness of the suite his mother was borrowing.
Stephanie Brown	Stephanie slips out of her shoes as well when she sees Roberto do so. She looks around the place, but her eyes come back to Roberto, paying him more attention than the amazing room. "Still on for movies," she agrees to him with a soft smile. She lets her fingertips brush Roberto's hand for a moment and then steps away from him to walk around the condo, looking the place over. She goes to the windows, and then sees there's another, outer section. Stephanie steps through the door to where the hot tub is at, and... "there's grass. And trees," she says, giving a warm giggle as she spots the fringe that grows along outside the windows. Stephanie rests her forehead against the glass and looks down at the city beneath, and then looks out across the city lights. "Just gorgeous," she says quietly, her smile growing. It's not quite the same as standing on the roof's edge with her cape billowing about her. But then, it's kind of chilly out there. This has it's perks too. She eyes the hot tub and shakes her head with a grin. Stephanie comes back in and moves over to Robert. She reaches into the plastic bag and pulls out a small, hand-sized wrapped box. "I got this for your birthday," she tells him, passing over the gift to him. "So, happy birthday," she says with a soft smile.
Roberto Da Costa	Roberto lets his hand linger in Steph's clearly noticing where her attention is at before she makes a tour of the house and he goes and fiddles with the remote. The friends that they were borrowing this place form had it all, Netflix, PrimeVideo, LexFlix, Disney+ the whole bag. He pulls up the menu smiling while Steph checks out the view up close and personal. It was a shame he had to keep his powers hidden, he had a feeling she'd love flying. When she joins him back inside, he says, "Helluva view," he says before she goes to the bag and presents him with a wrapped gift, his eyes widening in surprise. "What? You got me something-" Then the wrapping is being torn to shreds and the box is being pulled open and Roberto's eyes grow a little wider. "Saint Florian?" he asks, surprised more than confused. He knew what he stood for, a slow grin crossed his lips, "The patron saint of fire fighters." He was touched, that much shows on his face, all the more so because his birthday was all but forgotten by everyone else. He pulls the little medalion on its gold chain out of the box (https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0223/1885/products/8034GF_18GF_413x500.jpeg) offering it to Steph and turning around, "Want to put it on?" he asks her over his shoulder.
Stephanie Brown	As people often do when giving gifts, Stephanie is watching Roberto's reaction. The joy he shows in receiving it, is its own gift to Stephanie, and it brings out a beautiful, warm smile from her. "I know you didn't become one. But I thought, well, everyone can use a little someone looking out for them. And you mentioned being Catholic. And... who knows. Maybe it'll also help you remember you can still pursue some dreams even when life takes you other directions. If maybe not, hunky fireman calendar ones," she says with a soft laugh. She moves over to take the chain and unlatches it, then puts it about Roberto's neck and fastens it again. She smooths it over his shoulders. Which wasn't exactly necessary for the chain's purposes, it was already laying straight. Just a brush of her fingers over his shoulder and up along the base of his neck before she tells him to turn around. Stephanie looks at it hanging on his shirt and says, "It looks good on you." She gives a shy smile and a little shrug. "Happy birthday, Roberto. I'm glad I got the chance to give it to you," she says.
Roberto Da Costa	Roberto really does look touched and a genuine smile touches his lips as he listens to her reasons for giving it to him. "Wow, you really paid attention," he says, sounding amazed. Like most of his dates didn't care too much about what he was saying they just agreed in hoping of getting with him. This was something else, from the heart. He laughs, "Well at least I can still be hunky," he says turning around and ducking down a little so Steph could get to his neck. "Maybe I can do a hunky CEO calendar... if there's other hunky CEOs" he grimaces at the thought of some of his dads friends posing for a beefcake calendar and shudders. The thought pretty plain to read. He turns back, glacing down at the medal against his shirt and looks up. "Thanks, Stephanie, glad you got to give it to me too." "So, if a guy wanted to thank a girl for this really great gift he got, what would be appropriate in Gotham social circles, a hug? A kiss on the cheek? A kiss on the lips?" he asks with a teasing smile despite the genuine gratitude in his voice.
Stephanie Brown	Stephanie Brown breaks out in the warmest laughs as she sees Roberto's face and reads what his thoughts are. "I don't know that I want to meet whoever else it is you're thinking about," she tells him. "Certainly not as the photographer then." She's still smiling when he asks how one says thank you in Gotham. The question gives her pause, but the smile is still there, just a little bit shyer. "In Gotham? I think not robbing the person that given night is more of our style," she says in a bashful tone, deflecting the question with a joke. Stephanie's eyes dart about for a moment before peeking back up at the taller Roberto through her lashes. "Maybe... you should just go with the Brazilian custom in this case, then?" she suggests, her weight shifting about as she turns a little back and forth. Just a hint of color starts to come to her cheeks as well.
Roberto Da Costa	"Right?" Roberto says grinning at them being on the same wavelength already. Now it's his time to laugh, this time about the proper Gotham thank you. "Good to know," he says before his eyes brighten at her response, even though he replies with a joke of his own. "Okay fine," he says stepping towards her, "Go hop in the hot tub naked and I'll get the Bombeirinhos..." he teases with a smirk on his lips, "That's a drink by the way." Then without another word, he meets her eyes, tilts her chin up with his fingers, and leans in to kiss her softly on the lips. Slow and lingering.
Stephanie Brown	Stephanie is more nervous than she would be going up against Penguin. And Roberto doesn't have that fishy smell to him, which is a plus. As he tilts her head up, Stephanie stares at him, eyes widened a little. There's a bit of a resemblance to a deer in headlights. But when the young man's lips touch hers, that tension drains out of Stephanie. She slowly leans into the kiss as well, her head turned up as he directed, like her lips were being gently offered up to him. She's not quite sure how long the kiss lasts. It's so soft and sweet, she's happy to dwell within the warm feelings that run through her. At some point she must have reached up to rest her hand on Roberto's shoulder, because whenever the kiss breaks, she finds it is resting there. Stephanie doesn't really pull back, just hovers there near to him. "Just... to be clear... we can do both. The not robbing me tonight part also," she mumbles to him.
Roberto Da Costa	Roberto too is happy to just let the kiss be, no hurrying, no agenda, no attempts to grope, just lets it be what it is, sweet and gentle. He's not sure how long they kissed or when she put her arms around his neck, but he didn't seem to mind. There's no pulling back on his part, just a warm chuckle, "Oh I thought you meant this and the hot tub thing," he teases warmly. "But sure I can not rob you as long as stealing kisses doesn't count against that." He leans in to kiss her again, finding the one kiss just wasn't enough.
Stephanie Brown	Stephanie had a reply to that. "Mmmmrph rrmph mrphle..." she mumbles into the kiss, so unintelligible that even she's not sure what her inner voice tried to slip out there. Damn he's a good kisser. Not that Stephanie is every experienced in that area to judge by. But her toes want to curl so that is probably a good sign. Gradually she lets herself rest against him, pressing in gently to the warmth of his body as his lips press those warm, tender affections to her. Stephanie sighs, fingers brushing over his shoulders and neck. When next she lets their lips part, she's pretty sure it's a day or two later than when the kiss started. "You... are kind of... decent at that," she tells him, and looking a little unsteady on her feet. "Even the Russian judge is having to look for a higher scoring card than usual, I think..."
Roberto Da Costa	Roberto takes his time with that kiss, enjoying the warmth of Stephanie, pressed up against him, the feel of her lips on his, and when the kiss finally breaks, he holds her close, enjoying that as well, enjoying the caresses she gives him. "You're not so bad yourself," Roberto smiles at her. "And the American judge?" he asks her in that faintly accented voice of his. "What's my score there?" he asks her, holding her steady and close.
Stephanie Brown	Stephanie slides her arms further around Roberto's shoulders, hugging herself gently to him. "I'm afraid her score got thrown out. That happens to the highest one," she reminds him, the blond breaking out in a small smile as he joins into her banter that had come reflexively. Stephanie gives a quiet sigh and, for once, falls silent. Just enjoying how it feels to have his arms around her. She rests her cheek against his shoulder and just savors being held. The hug goes on for awhile. "So... ok, I think you're fully forgiven at this point," she tells him. "But I might change my mind later. So, maybe keep a couple more of those kisses warm on the back burner." She hugs him a little tighter before moving back enough she can look up and see his face more easily. "So, any thoughts on a movie?" she asks, a hand going to brush back her hair on one side of her face. It isn't messed up, but to Stephanie, it FEELS like it should be messed up, after that kiss.
Roberto Da Costa	There's a warm smile and a laugh from Roberto. "Is that how it works? Never understood that one," he say of throwing out the highest score, but he didn't miss the message at all, his smile is clear proof of that. Holding Stephanie was nice, Roberto was finding, and so he keeps her close for as long as he can, before he lets go. "Good to know," he says about being forgiven. "And I may have a couple more kisses like that for you if you ask nicely," he teases, though he seems more than happy to volunteer those kisses just as easily. "Mm? What movie...oh right," he jokes before he moves to take a seat on the couch, beckoning Stephanie over to join him. "Mm, what do you like to watch?" he asks her ducking the question a little.
Stephanie Brown	Stephanie's smile is a bit of a shy one now Roberto is able to see her face again. Though it's not enough shyness to keep her from giving him warm, blue-eyed looks now and then, each bringing out a rather pretty smile from her. She follows Roberto over to the couch, waiting for him to get settled. "Hmm. I could go for some action. Or a romcom. Sci-fi is ok too." Once Roberto is seated, Stephanie takes a seat close beside him, drawing her legs up and then leaning over against him if he lets her. "I'm pretty open-minded though. If you want to turn on your favorite? And totally let me judge you over it? You're completely welcome to," she tells him with a little pat on his knee and a smile flashed his way that is so sweetly innocent and cherubic it could be worked into a church's stained glass window.
Roberto Da Costa	Those little looks are met by a long, steady smile from Roberto, still very much enjoying the memory of the kiss. Though he does eventually settle onto the the couch and definitely lets her lean up against him once he's settled, an arm going around her as she does. "Hmm, so you're going to judge me huh?" he asks, before renderng his verdict. "Hmm... Back to the Future? Everyone likes Back to the Future and hey, it's a little of all three, action, sci-fi and rom com all rolled into one." He looks over at her and smiles then watiing for her judgement.
Stephanie Brown	"Oh yes," Stephanie guarantees Roberto about whether he'll be judged. "Judged like I was on the bench and you were going 60 in a 30 in my little speed trap of a town, my friend," Stephanie assures him, reaching over and giving his chest a little pat. She hesitates a moment and pats again. And then mumbles something about "muscles" and just rests her hand on that spot. "Ok, Back to the Future is a winner. You pass this test," she says, looking to the handsome Brazilian but with a suspicious look as if she's fully expecting him to have failing marks on the next test. Or maybe she's wondering if he's cheated. Stephanie rests her head down against Roberto's shoulder. "So are you, be quiet and watch the movie sort. Or a... I've seen it before so we can chitchat during it sort?" she asks as she settles in.
Roberto Da Costa	Berto blinks and looks at Stephanie, "That's very specific..." he says with a grin. "Are you always that descriptive, becuase I think I kinda like it," he says. Roberto is fiddling with the remote as she pats his chest, but he looks up to smile broadly when she murmurs about his muscles then declares his movie pick a winner. "Great," he says before smiling at the idea of more tests. "Bring it Blondie," he says before getting the movie started. "Hmm? Me? Quiet?" he shakes his head. "Guess I'll give you a break because we basically just met, but what about me says I'm ever quiet?" he asks. "So chatting, is definitely good." He looks around, "Crap, we want some popcorn and drinks or something?" he asks, both things that would have been good before the cuddling.
Stephanie Brown	Roberto wouldn't be aware of the troubles her inner voice has caused Stephanie over the course of her life. So when he comments on it and says he kind of likes it, Stephanie can only feel this bit of a warm rush inside. "I have been known, now and then to spin a phrase. Mostly in the sense of a childhood merry-go-round where the phrase's friends spun it WAY too fast and now it's kind of staggering around as it walks," Stephanie tells him. She demonstrates the walking with her fingers, then has them fall over. The movie comes on and Stephanie smiles. "I always forget this part at the start," she comments of all the clocks. She considers the question about snacks. "Maybe in a little bit? Unless you're hungry. We can pause it," she offers. "I am kind of comfortable like this," she says, giving just a little wiggle to suggest she means, with his arm about her.
Roberto Da Costa	Can't help but just watch as Stephanie spins a phrase complete with little finger puppets and everything. He smiles at her, his dark eyes finding her blue and says, "And you wonder why I didn't want to go home with Tinsley? Can she make that stuff up on the fly or do finger puppets? Probably not. You though, are the best kind of weird," he says and its /definitely/ meant as a compliment as he leans in to kiss her again. When the kiss breaks and their attention goes to the movie again Roberto nods emphatically, "Right? Though that dog food machine is really gross, sort of glad we don't have popcorn right now actually," he says before just easing into the moment, "Wonder if Hank could make an amp that big. That'd be dope." Yep, totally forgot Steph isn't one of the X-Kids.
Stephanie Brown	The teen might just melt a little bit inside, the weirdness that has been the bane of her social existence within the catty world of high school, seeming to be something endearing to Roberto. When he leans in, he finds the pretty blond turning her face up, her lips given into his kiss. Soft and sweet, and that hand on his chest slides up to rest her fingers along the bottom of his neck. She gives a soft, happy sigh as the kiss breaks and then tucks her head back in against his shoulder, grinning like crazy. "Yes, better save the snack for later," she agrees. Her hand moves back down to just brush back and forth over his chest as the girl cuddles with Roberto watching the movie. "Hank, he one of your friends at school?" she asks. "So this girl that Sam is seeing, will it be a problem for him with her family, do you think?" Stephanie asks. She's actually thinking about whether other not-well-off people might run into family problems for that fact. Though not really saying so.
Roberto Da Costa	Roberto has a hard time pulling away after Stephanie melts so nicely into that kiss, her hand on his chest moving up to his neck. "See, told you I had more of them for you," he smiles afterwards, adjusting his arms around her so she can lean against him more comfortably, his fingers slowly being drawn through her hair. "One of the teachers," he says. "Big science nerd really, but a great guy. Sort of like a quieter more stable Doc Brown, which I guess just means a scientist? Also, if you ever need a quote for something? Totally your guy." "That girl and Sam, definite problem. Not sure it'll just be a money thing with them though, they're um, pretty extreme in their views and I know Sam doesn't feel that way. Going to be a little bit of a case of oil and water... or maybe even oil, more oil, and a whole bunch of matches..." See he could do the descriptive thing too. "Part of what I had to do the other night was get the pair of them money so the girl had a place to hide."
Stephanie Brown	Stephanie makes use of the extra arm going about her, nestling in closer and just basking in the feeling of being held. Her hand not already on his chest moves to rest upon Roberto's arm as they talk. "Sounds nice. I gather you like that school that you're at then? A lot of good teachers like that?" she asks. She falls quiet, listening as Roberto goes on about Sam and his girlfriend. As she hears that the girl needed a place to hide, Stephanie sits up just a little bit more. Becoming alert. "She's having to hide from them? Roberto, that doesn't sound good at all. Is she a minor still? If so, maybe you need to talk to her about bringing the authorities in on it?" she suggests. Her hand on Roberto's arm squeezes a little bit, but it seems it's with her tension about the danger this other girl might be in. "I'm glad you were able to be there for them," she adds softly.
Roberto Da Costa	Roberto keeps toying with Steph's hair as they talk, "Yeah, Hank's great and so's the school. I was really lucky to get to go there, and I'd stay longer if I could, but," he shrugs. He had other duties, he couldn't be a 'fireman' forever. Sooner or later he had to transition to hunky CEO. "I think she turned eighteen a couple of days ago, like the fourteenth, so she's an adult now, and yeah, it's not good, her parents are nuts but Sam and me, we know some people that can help get her away from them." "I did what I could," he says glancing at Stephanie, genuine concern in his expression about the pair. "I just hope Sam doesn't get his dumb ass shot over her. I mean, she's cute and all but he's putting a lot on the line." He sighs, "Sorry, I know this isn't super hot date talk. Just on my mind I guess."
Stephanie Brown	The fingers drifting through Stephanie's hair might as well be a mutant power for the way it makes the girl lean her head towards his touch. Even as the topic is a serious one, it makes Stephanie relax more against him. Her own hand that rests on an arm that is folded about her brushes slowly back and forth over Roberto's forearm. "Can't say high school has been a high point of my life," Stephanie says quietly after a moment's thought. "Not that... well, ok no. It probably is a high point, actually. But that's more of a statement on everything before it." Stephanie's hand gently gives Roberto's arm a little pat. "I'm glad you found something better, there," she tells him. The teen lets out a breath through her nose then, lips pressed in a bit of a line. "It might be that bad?" she asks after the mention of Sam hopefully not getting shot. Stephanie turns her head, eyes opening a little more fully than the half-closed state that Roberto's brushing his fingers through her hair have gotten her to. "No. Actually? This is good. For me it is," she tells him. The girl's soft blue eyes look up into the Latino's darker gaze. "Hearing that you care about these people this much. It tells me something about you. The kind of things... that I need to know," she says quietly.
Roberto Da Costa	Yeah, those fingers brushing against his arm also have an effect on him, leaving him more and more relaxed as they trailed back and forth along his skin. "Lemme guess, Tinsley features prominently in why high school sucks?" he asks her. "Knew kids like that back home in Brazil. used to give me shit all the time because my dad's half-black, a pardo, as they call it back home," he shrugs. "I know I don't really look it but that's only because I took after my mom." He frowns, "Sorry everything before high school sucked worse, want to talk about it?" after all she was listening to all of Sam's woes. "Things you need to know?" he asks. "Still testing me? Do I pass?" though he teases he's curious too. What did she find out about him?
Stephanie Brown	Stephanie gives a tiny shrug and then shakes her head as she says, "Well, Tinsley contributes without a doubt. It isn't all on her thought." The blond girl turns her head to look towards Roberto as he tells her about his father. "That kind of stuff is so stupid. Like it makes a difference," she says with a sad sigh. "I'm sorry they put you through that." As Roberto repeats Stephanie's wording, she wince a bit. "Sorry. That didn't come out right. Which is a skill of mine," she says. "Ok, but it was probably honest. That's also a skill of mine." Instead of lying with her back against the side of Roberto's chest, the teen rotates her body to be facing him more, her font and side resting against him now. "Instead of calling it 'testing you', can we maybe call it, 'soothing Stephanie's overly skittishness when it comes to... this'?" she asks him. "Sorry, I was just, a little worried when you canceled and I didn't hear. And then, the party. It isn't really doubting you, or testing you. But, hearing you're the kind of person of would do that for your friend Sam, and for his girl? It puts me more at ease that my first instincts about you weren't wrong." She looks a little worried. "I hope that didn't bother you," she tells him. "And, I'm willing to dish about myself too. I've... well, I've also got some issues I've gone through stemming from who my father is," she says.
Roberto Da Costa	High school seemed to suck wherever it was, "So, what made school suck besides Tinsely?" he asks her before shrugging, "I know right? But when people don't have anything else to hang onto they go to the crap that doesn't matter, black/white, human/mutant," he makes a face. Roberto smiles when Stephanie's apology, "Not a problem. You can be honest it'll be a nice change of pace after Tinsley," he says with a laugh. There's a warm pleased smile when Steph turns around to face him, and he rests his hand on her back, drawing little circles with his fingers. "I get it, you thought I blew you off and then decided to get with you to make Tinsely jealous or something, right?" he asks her. "And a year ago you'd be right, probably. but tonight, I'm done with all that," he taps the little medal where it lays against his chest. "This has a lot to do with that. It was really cool how you I dunno paid attention," he smiles at her brushing her cheek with the tips of his fingers. "Made me pay attention too." He leans in then to take a slow soft kiss from her lips, before parting his lips from hers and smiling, "And you can dish about yourself all you want, but you don't owe me anything."