http://suit-of-awesome.livejournal.com/ ([identity profile] suit-of-awesome.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] fandomtownies2011-03-13 08:49 am

Spring Parents' Weekend Brunch | Sunday Morning to Afternoon | The Park

Another successful weekend of avoiding angry and confused parental figures and listening to radio with a broad smile on his face and a tub of popcorn at his side meant Barney was happy to oversee the gathering of guests, students, teachers, and townies happening in the park.

Ah, but the morning was bright and sunny, regardless of what any weather reports might claim. With el presidente and the rest of the student council taking care of friends and family, it was up to Barney to make brunch happen. Amazing what an iPhone could do these days, like make tents, chairs, and tables of blue and gold appear all around the park along with tables of hot and cold cuisine perfect for what anyone might expect of brunch. Apparently there was an app for that.

And now for the sitting, chatting, and eating. Today was the day when everyone would say goodbye and flee the island, leaving the land peaceful once more. Barney thought it was a lot like what happened after invasions, just with less blood and goop on the streets.

[OCD UP. Have at, bbs!]

Re: Mingle! [SPW 3]

[identity profile] batwaffles.livejournal.com 2011-03-13 06:39 pm (UTC)(link)
Stephanie made a face. "Like multiple versions of people we know, who aren't actually the same ones we know? Or who just look like them? There's only so much logic-defying explanation a girl can do, Babs. Cut me a break?"

. . . yeah, that was going to happen, Steph.

Re: Mingle! [SPW 3]

[identity profile] premierinfojock.livejournal.com 2011-03-13 06:50 pm (UTC)(link)
Barbara restrained a snort, then said, "And who know me, apparently. Or some version of me. That would've been a nice warning to have?" She took a sip of her own coffee and said, "So. How much do you like it here?" Enough to not miss Gotham City, and being Robin still?

Re: Mingle! [SPW 3]

[identity profile] batwaffles.livejournal.com 2011-03-13 06:58 pm (UTC)(link)
"Why should I be the only one to get surprised that way?" Stephanie retorted good-naturedly. "You should be able to handle it just fine."

She gestured up at the school. "I go to school in a freaking castle, oh my god. How is that not awesome? It's weird being able to see this much of the sky without looking straight up, though."

Her wry look could have been perfectly innocent, unless you knew why exactly that was so weird.

Re: Mingle! [SPW 3]

[identity profile] premierinfojock.livejournal.com 2011-03-13 07:04 pm (UTC)(link)
Smirking back at her, Barbara said, "How much do you miss that?" Meaning something else too.

Re: Mingle! [SPW 3]

[identity profile] batwaffles.livejournal.com 2011-03-13 07:33 pm (UTC)(link)
"I make do," Stephanie said, clearing her throat. "Sort of."

La la la, not mentioning the incident the other weekend, noooooooooope.

"It's so quiet, too, compared to Gotham. No cars, no traffic, no occasional angry mobs . . ." Her smile turned wistful. "That's nice, though. I almost never realized life could be this peaceful."

Re: Mingle! [SPW 3]

[identity profile] premierinfojock.livejournal.com 2011-03-13 07:38 pm (UTC)(link)
"Sort of?" That got a skeptical look. "How, 'sort of'?" Then more gently, "It's nice to have a break, sometimes." And it didn't have to be just a break, but she couldn't see Stephanie accepting that yet.

Re: Mingle! [SPW 3]

[identity profile] batwaffles.livejournal.com 2011-03-13 07:46 pm (UTC)(link)
Yet or, you know, ever.

"The empty warehouse district," Stephanie intoned cryptically (she thought), "reminds me a little of . . . navigating around home in a small-scale way."

See, she wasn't out of practice! Not really.

"A break's one thing," she went on, looking stubborn. "And I'm definitely learning things here I wouldn't get at Gotham Heights High. But I can't be here forever, you know that. People back there need me. Mom, Cass, B --"

Ahem.

"People."

Re: Mingle! [SPW 3]

[identity profile] premierinfojock.livejournal.com 2011-03-13 07:57 pm (UTC)(link)
"Ahh." The right heights, the right distances between buildings. Practice-- well, it was good.

"People," Barbara echoed, repressing a sigh, then smiled wryly. "You're good at helping them. And if you feel like you're learning things here that will help you do that? So much the better." In more controlled circumstances, with more safeties in place. She hoped.

Re: Mingle! [SPW 3]

[identity profile] batwaffles.livejournal.com 2011-03-13 08:14 pm (UTC)(link)
"The learning part's fine," Stephanie said after swallowing a mouthful of waffle. "It's the getting to use the lessons that takes too long to wait for."

Re: Mingle! [SPW 3]

[identity profile] premierinfojock.livejournal.com 2011-03-13 08:16 pm (UTC)(link)
Which was understandable, if you knew how young Dick and Jason and Tim had started. Which Stephanie had a pretty good idea about. Barbara sat back, studying her a little. "It's not a matter of time. Or aptitude. It's the attitude, and the balance you need. No one's ever doubted your commitment, you know." Even if Bruce *had* threatened to fire her.

Re: Mingle! [SPW 3]

[identity profile] batwaffles.livejournal.com 2011-03-13 08:30 pm (UTC)(link)
She knew a little about that, yeah. Hard not to when her training had included a lot of comments about how she needed to catch up to what they'd learned.

Still, it was nice to hear from someone that her aptitude wasn't in question.

"So I hear," Steph mumbled. "It's hard to prove those other things from here, though."

Re: Mingle! [SPW 3]

[identity profile] premierinfojock.livejournal.com 2011-03-13 08:35 pm (UTC)(link)
Which wasn't an unfair observation. Barbara paused, thinking about it, and said, "I don't always approve of every decision Bruce makes. But I think this one was as much for his benefit, as yours. You'll make it easier on both of you if you stick it out here, and prove you don't need to go against his ideas." The mistakes he'd made with Jason still weighed on him. "As much as we miss having you there."

Re: Mingle! [SPW 3]

[identity profile] batwaffles.livejournal.com 2011-03-13 08:47 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, Steph was still halfway convinced that going against Bruce's ideas sometimes was actually an important part of her job.

"Oh, you miss me, do you?" she asked, pushing past the moment of melancholy toward something more mischievous. "Whatever happened to complaining that I talk too much, and you can't think?"

Re: Mingle! [SPW 3]

[identity profile] premierinfojock.livejournal.com 2011-03-13 08:59 pm (UTC)(link)
"I got inured," Barbara said, her own tone lightening slightly, grin lurking around her mouth. "I keep waiting for someone to interrupt me when I talk now, and I just get impatient looks from Cass. It isn't the same."

Re: Mingle! [SPW 3]

[identity profile] batwaffles.livejournal.com 2011-03-13 09:12 pm (UTC)(link)
"Should I talk to her about making up for me in that department, then?"

As if Stephanie could keep a straight face while asking that.

Re: Mingle! [SPW 3]

[identity profile] premierinfojock.livejournal.com 2011-03-13 09:14 pm (UTC)(link)
Barbara snorted and stifled a grin. "Don't push it. I don't think Gotham's ready for two Stephanie Browns."

Re: Mingle! [SPW 3]

[identity profile] batwaffles.livejournal.com 2011-03-13 10:59 pm (UTC)(link)
"Sure it is," Stephanie insisted. "Why not? It wouldn't be the first time something like that happened."