10019/Dumplings are Good for the Soul

Dumplings are Good for the Soul
Date of Scene:	12 November 2019
Location:	Hot Dumpling Restaurant, China Basin
Synopsis:	Some Bats gather for dumplings and relaxation at their favourite spot.
Cast of Characters:	Red Hood, Carrie Kelley, Red Robin, Huntress

---

Red Hood has posed:
Despite technically living under the same roof, Jason had managed not to run into that many of his fellow Bat-peeps, mostly by design, spending his time working or sleeping, and the rest of his day was spent on patrol or like he was now wandering the city waiting for dark.

Which was he admits, a little boring.

So, pulling his bike to a stop outside the 'Hot Dumpling' restaurant Jason digs out his phone and types a message to the Batfamily as a whole, taking a moment or two to debate if he wanted to keep Dick on that list before sighing and deciding he would. The message read:

Jay >> Going for dumplings, you know where, come join if you want.

Yep, that's about as cordial as Jason's invitations got.

He gets off his bike and goes inside, speaking warmly with the owner in Mandarin on the way to the table at the back.

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Given the location of Carrie's current 'turf' as it were, and the fact that the infamous dumpling house was easily found within it's borders, it meant she was likely to respond to that invitation. That and she'd already been considering heading back to the manor to scrounge up something to eat. Dumplings and other Chinese goodness was always a welcome idea. Plus she'd been... a bit out of touch lately with the others, ever since she ran afoul of Bruce in helping to get him healed. She felt it was best to take a bit of time away to let him cool off.

Not long after Jason seats himself Carrie ducks in through the door giving a wave, and grin toward the familiar Chinese woman. She greets her in Mandarin... Poorly, then quickly apologizes, "Sorry, I'm still learning!" At least she was willing to try learning though.

With hands stuffed in the pockets of a slightly shabby jacket that had seen better days she heads over to plop down in a seat across from Jason with a sigh. "So, what's up, Jaybird?"

Red Robin has posed:
Tim Drake comes walking into the place. He hmmms a bit to himself a bit as he stands looking around outside "I wonder." He says softly to himself, and walks in looking around nodding to the wait staff and motions to Jason and Carrie and heads over towards them "Hey you two." He says sliding into a seat.

Huntress has posed:
Right. If it was more cordial than that people would start to wonder if Jason had been replaced by a bodysnatcher or something.

But a back alley resturant with some good Chinese sounds like a good quick meal before she suits up and starts kicking out some patrols of her own so Helena will take up the offer. Also gives her a chance to check on how the rest of the Batclan are handling things. Good thing she's got her motorcycle, most cars probably would fit this far back in the back alleys of Gotham.

Eventually she walks in, gives a polite half-bowing nod to the staff, and then spots the table where the others have already gathered and walks over. "Got room for one more?"

Red Hood has posed:
The Chinese woman gives Carrie a grin for her attempt at Mandarin, and gives the greeting back, a half-tick slower than normal to let Carrie drink in the tones. The effort was appreciated.

Jason for his part smiles as well, giving Carrie an upnod as she sits, "Up to my eyes in weird shit, needed a bit of normal to stay sane... no clue why I invited everyone, must be might bee too late for the sane part," jokes the customary loner before looking up to the owner. "Tea for me, please, and might as well start the dumplings coming," he says with a tired if good natured smile. Given the family's nightly activities, being able to pack away food was pretty much a given.

As Tim then Helena joins them, Jason lifts a hand in greeting and waves them over shifting over so they didn't have to slide around all the chairs to find a seat. It also put him next to Carrie, which he explains with a grin, "Just in case your parents come by again."

Not that he figured it was likely after last time, but when did Jason not needle people?

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Carrie Kelley repeats the slower greeting back trying to get the pronunciation correct this time around. It's far better this time, and she grins brightly with a thankful nod toward the woman. With how often she'd been eating here over the past few months she was becoming something of a regular.

Tipping her head back toward Jason she gives a faint snort at mention of sanity. "As if that were ever in question," comes out drolly only to crack another grin. Tim's arrival, and then Helena's earns a quick gesture at the empty seats...Or what were empty until Jason swings around next to her.

"Oh god if you do that again they're liable to try and marry us off on the spot. Don't you dare." A long, drawn out sigh comes. "They've been trying to keep in touch with me lately. It's so weird... They haven't given a shit about me for years and now suddenly, bam. They smell money."

Red Robin has posed:
Tim Drake ponders a bit and smirks a bit to this and says "Yea, sane thats a bit of a loose line around here aint it?" He grins and says "How you guys doing?" He does order a soda to drink and says "Was just in the neighborhood last night."

Huntress has posed:
Helena Bertinelli settles into the space cleared for her, faintly chuckling at Jason's 'excuse' for scooting closer to Carrie. "Likewise on the tea and dumplings, please." Though the amusement fades when the girl talks about how her parents are acting though, and a light shake of her head follows. "No offense to your parents, but I can't say I'm surprised. Just from seeing it happen many times before."

Red Hood has posed:
The woman smiles as Carrie repeats the greeting and flashes a thumbs up. "Very good," she says in heavily accented English.


She takes  Tim's drink order and Helena's addition to the call for tea and dumplings before waddling back to the kitchen. 


Jason grins, "What? I am sure Mrs. Yung would cater if we asked nice" he nods back to the woman, before looking back to Carrie with a grin, "Though you're going to have to keep your last name, Carrie Todd," he makes a face. "Just lacks a little something you know?"


So, yeah Tim might be onto something with sanity being a loose line around here.

 
Though his expression does get a bit more serious when her parents are brought up, "Sorry about that," he says. 'My dad and step mom were like the ghetto version of your parents, always trying to get ahead, chasing that next chance to get rich quick." Though in their case it usually meant crime. "Was gonna ask if it would make anything better if I lent them the brownstone for a bit. Or would that just make it worse?" 

He does catch the dimming of Helena's amusement, "Anyhow, Tim you were saying you were out here yesterday, anything interesting?"

Huntress has posed:
Helena Bertinelli sidelong glances at Jason, a little bit of a corner smile coming back. "Jason Kelley doesn't have a bad ring to it either," she teases. The dour moment quickly passes, these moments to just sit and unwind a bit amongst what's probably closer to a family than her real family are too far between to let a few sour notes linger.

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Carrie Kelley begins to roll her eyes even if she has a hint of a smirk at all the teasing from Jason. The last name bit earns a full on grin when Helena suggests it, and she gestures pointing at the woman with a quick nod. "That. That would work," she agrees laughing a moment. It devolves into a slight grin as she stares at the tabletop just a minute gathering her thoughts.

"It's okay. I know my folks are peices of... Work. Always known. They'd take out loans to buy expensive clothes so they could go to as many parties as they could and look the part. Which left me working odd jobs to have lunch money. But," she adds with an indifferent shrug. "Could have been worse."

Lightly clearing her throat she looks up and around the table again. "Okay, enough about me. How are you all doing? It's been a long few weeks since the Boss' accident."

Red Robin has posed:
Tim Drake smirks a bit and says "Well from what I heard about the last meeting wouldn't her name be Carrie Drake?" He asks smirking a bit and says "Was coming through here last night and ran into an old teacher of mine who was actually looking for a a guy you had a run in with recently.

Red Hood has posed:
Jason smirks at Helena's suggestion, snappointing, "There it's settled," he says with a laugh about the whole last name question. "And good point, you're not "dating" me, you're "dating" Tim, who just happens to look like me," he says off Tim's comment.

He shakes his head though as Carrie offers more about her parents, "Jesus, definitely pieces of something..." he agrees before happily going on with the change of subject.

"I'm tired, been working pretty much 24/7," he says. "Also, possibly seeing things, I could have sworn I saw Wonder Woman when I was up at the house..."

Tim's story isn't forgotten as he asks, "Which teacher and which guy?"

Huntress has posed:
'Boss' accident'. That's a good way of putting it in public, bravo. "A few more upstarts here and there, but business as usual for the most part." Helena keeps her response equally generic, but those around the table would get the jist of it. Then quiets and tilts her head a little, listening to the exchange about running into familiar people looking for other people they've encountered.

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Carrie Kelley nods solemnly at the news. A glance is cast toward Tim with an eyebrow lifting curiously at the topic. "Who'd Jason tick off now? I think I need a diagram to keep up. Or an encyclopedia." Shifting to lean back in her seat comfortably she nods again listening here and there.

"Yeah she's visiting to help him get back on his feet. I'm not assuming more, because ew."

A grin is offered to Helena sympathetically. "Yeah, hear you there. I've been spending more time than I want to behind a computer lately. Learning some new equipment."

Red Robin has posed:
Tim Drake looks between them and says "The lady who taught me who to whistle." He says not to give away to the public, but the others should know Shiva taught him his staff and using it's whistle for distraction. And she aint upset with him, seems she maybe upset at some of the others he may have ticked off. She is looking for the man in the blue suit." He says of the Question.

Red Hood has posed:
Jason sticks his tongue out at Carrie, "Well, that list used to be a lot shorter," he mutters, though since choosing to follow Bruce's rule, he wasn't able to prune names from that list like he used to. Jury was out if he was happy about that or not, but he smiles at the teasing all the same.

"If you need a hand with any of them, let me know, should be done my current file by the end of the week," he offers Helena trying to keep the talk safe for any nearby ears.

Which is good because Mrs. Yung comes by with the first round of dumplings and drinks and Jason waits until she's done and gone before carrying on.

"Oh god, I didn't even think of it like that. Could you imagine? He'd probably deliver the 'good work, but you need more practice' speech afterwards..." he shudders a little. "Anyhow, aren't I great for dinner conversation."

Though Tim's thing about the teacher has his brows raising, "Oh shit, /she's/ in town?" Jason asks. "And wait, she's looking for Q? Did she say why?"

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Oh, good. Jason was distracted. That meant that while he questions Tim about Shiva she is free to do what must be done at a time like this. Plucking up her chopsticks she lashes out to snag a dumpling which she then puts on her plate. One by one she gets a good mix of several different varieties ensuring that she actually gets some of them all this time instead of having him swipe them before she can.

"Annoying people is one of the family past times." Even as she points this out she jealously guards her plate from retalation theivery.

Huntress has posed:
Helena Bertinelli can't help but chuckle a little at that. "Can't say I'm really surprised by that, either." That guy has a knock for pricking nerves, intentional or not. "I know, Jason. Between you and my other work crew," meaning the Birds of Prey most likely, "I don't need to worry about who to ask for some assistance." She's curious to hear more of why Shiva's in town looking for Q, though. Picks up her tea for a sip and then starts on the dumplings while listening.

Red Robin has posed:
Tim Drake says, "Turns out they are old friends, or something and she said on her honor she ment him no harm. I gave her a burner to contact me or vise versa with. She said she would look into the issues with Shredhead, and has had dealings with him before. " He gets some dumplings as well, and says "And she did not see happy that Q had been hurt not happy at al."

Red Hood has posed:
"Good," Jason says with a nod to Helena, before leaning over and putting a hand next to his mouth as he pretends to whisper. "But for the record I'm way cooler than the Birbs," Yes, he mispronounced it on purpose, wait was someone else at the table on that team?

"No shit?" Jason says fixing his attention on Tim. "Who knew Faceless Fox Mulder, knew..." in public remember, "Her," he settles on. "If she's going to go visit the guys who got him, that's great, one less problem for us to deal with," he reasons. If Shiva killed Shredder for messing with her friend, so much the better for Gotham and the world. "They left a huge mess on my lawn the other day and finding out that she's going after them sort of warms my heart. Any idea where Q went though? He was looking rough on that video."

That's when Jason leans forward to snatch a dumpling from the tray only to snatch...air? He turns his head slowly towards Carrie eyeing her and her dumpling horde. "You don't say," he says about annoying people being a family trait.

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Carrie Kelley doesn't even bother hiding it. She grins wide, teeth showing with evident pride at catching Jason off guard like that. HE was usually the one snagging all the food before she could get it. There was still plenty there as it was--She'd just gotten enough to ensure she got to eat some herself. Silently she lifts up one dumpling on her chopsticks to pop into her mouth with an overly melodramatic 'Mmmmm' of enjoyment.

It's gulped down before she even attempts to speak again. "Saw the video and it did look messy. I'm afraid I don't really know Q myself though. Hope he's okay, but this is all you guys," she adds with a shrug. "Unless you need extra help. Sounds like the out of towner might have it though."

Huntress has posed:
"Mmm, these dumplings are as good as they say." Helena is savoring the mood, but that doesn't stop a slight snort from escaping her as Shredder is called by one of his nicknames. "There's another piece of work." Pauses a moment to sip her tea to wash down dumplings. Then smirks a little at Carrie. "Don't feel left out dear. Even the people that -do- know him don't -know- him. That's kind of this thing."

Red Robin has posed:
Tim Drake nods, and says "Yea, I first met him when he came looking for me thought I was on the other side of the line. Seems he did not go to his normal hidey hole. She has checked his normal places and no sign of him there." I didn't give her the video but did consider it.

Red Hood has posed:
Jason just continues to eye Carrie, but when she makes the dramatic "Mmm," his expression breaks a little threatening a laugh. He turns and starts getting dumplings off the tray for himself, "New Mandarin word for you Carrie, < revenge >," he says delivering the last in Mandarin with a chuckle.

"They're great right?" Jason asks Helena. "Found this place when I was a kid, it's the smell that got me and the dumplings had me hooked."

"Yeah," he agrees about Q. "I asked him his name once, and I swear to god he answered, 'that's a good question', I almost decked him, though given who he's friends with," not to mention the moves he was showing on the video. "Probably a good thing I didn't."

As for the search for Q, Jason frowns, "Well he's either got to help or he's dead, I am hoping for the first..." he says before an idea occurs, "Did you try Thompkins Clinic?"

Huntress has posed:
"If he's there, it's probably under three different aliases to farther confuse people," Helena murmurs under her breath, mostly just so its only those at the table that hear it.

Red Robin has posed:
Tim Drake hmms and says "Had not checked it yet, was coming to look for you first and see what you could tell me about what had happened afterwards if you knew anything." He admits to the others "Have to see if we can find him, and either tell her or tell him she is looking for him.

Red Hood has posed:
A detante reached in the Great Dumpling War of 2027, Jason turns his attention to Helena and Tim.

"True," Jason admits of Q at the clinic. "And Leslie is as stubborn as a mule when it comes to confidentiality, though... you could always break in and snoop." It's what Jason would do if he wasn't neck deep in demons, the dead gangsters on his 'lawn' was on the backburner until then.

As for what happened during the fight, Jason frowns and digs into his jacket for his pack of Lucky's checking the count, he had fifteen left of the original twenty and he'd promised himself he'd only smoke the one pack. Letting the faint pall of cigarette smoke tip the scales, he knocks one loose and lights it before putting the pack away. "Wasn't there," Jason says after his first drag. "But got the video from my security system, it looked like Shredhead," he uses Tim's nickname, "Have Mask and Cobblepot on side, they were trying to get the independents to bow down and it went sideways and the independents got killed."

Another drag.

"They were trying to pin it on the family but they didn't finish making a Bat out of the bodies before the cops came," he says. "I think once things are settled with the demons, we owe, Mask and Cobblepot a visit at the very least."

Huntress has posed:
Helena Bertinelli mutters a bit under her breath. "It's like every corner we turn he's found someone to dig his claws into..." She shakes her head a bit, and leans over to snatch a few more of the remaining dumplings, keeping her voice low still. "Not run into him directly, but I've worked with some of the other..." Slightly awkward pause. " 'people' confronting him." Not to mention the effects of his shadowy efforts.

As much as she did not like Shredder or his intentions, she had to have some begrudging respect for a man that was able to get the Families to stop trying to kill each other, as temporary as those truces may last.

Red Robin has posed:
Tim Drake says, "Yea, I aint encountered him yet, just some rather unique fellows who are pitted against him. "A group of brothers, Damian has more interaction with them than I have, but turns out I know one of them from some online games, and is a pretty good fellow.""

Red Hood has posed:
"Yeah," Jason agrees as about Shredder's knack for finding peope to turn to his cause. Though the comment about knowing some of his opposition gets an eyebrow raise from him. "The other one on the video? Think you can reach out? They might know where Q got to."

As for the group in question, "Met a few of them before, their low level guys aren't much to worry about but there was this one girl... she had serious game. Wouldn't mind settling the score there."

Jason frowns, "Wait, you found one of them playing video games?" he asks Tim.

Huntress has posed:
Helena Bertinelli shakes her head. "I mean up in New York," she quickly explains. "Helped.. deal with some issues at the docks between them and his 'workers'." In other words, busted up one of the gang operations smuggling goods and laundring money. At least around the other Bat-folk she doesn't have to worry about the general descriptions getting the real message across. She probably practices this sort of thing, never know when you can't actually sneak away to stick a mask on.

Red Robin has posed:
Tim Drake looks over and says "Well found him salvaging some tech from a junk yard, but met him and one of his brothers a week or so before that on the job. Didn't talk to him the first meeting, talked the second time, and we realized we are in the same guild in World of Warcraft. We actually raid together. Turns out there are a few of us in the guild who share the same job.

Red Hood has posed:
"Ah," Jason says as Helena clarifies. "Understood," he says. "Did they give you much trouble?" he was curious if the men he fought were typical of what the Foot had to offer.

Setting down his smoke in an ancient ashtray in the middle of the table he has a bite of dumpling at last, nodding to Tim. "So wait, is this someone working for Shredhead or someone fighting him? I'm a little confused."

Red Robin has posed:
Tim Drake looks over "Fighting him, group of four brothers." he tells him before taking a sip of drink.

Huntress has posed:
"Four brothers and a foxy companion," Helena adds, to cover all the bases, as she's better aquainted with said fox than the quartet. Holds up a hand and wobbles it a bit. "They were mostly hired help from various 'operations' around the city, but a couple of them had," how to put the magic seeming amulet in public safe terms? ".. Exceptional accesories." She tries to make a vague 'toss a magic fireball' gesture with her hand, before getting out some cash to pay for her part of the food. And the tip, because those dumplings really were that good. "It was nice catching up with you all, but I should really be on my way. Got a shift with my other job starting soon." So to speak.

Red Robin has posed:
Tim Drake nods a bit and says "Oh she is with them, I know a bit more about the other lady that they seem to have taken in." He says to Helena. "The ones I know pretty good fellows and really good in a fight supposedly. Damian seems to like them though so does worry me a bit." He jokes. He looks over to Helena "You need help just give us a call."

Red Hood has posed:
"Foxy huh?" Jason asks with an eyebrow waggle which suggests he doesn't get what they mean there. Though he does seem to follow about the accessories however, frowning at the mimed fireball. "Great, more magic."

There's a nod to Tim about the four brothers, "They seem interesting," especially because Damian seems to like them. "Think you could arrange an introduction sometime?" he asks. Boy was he in for a shock.

When Helena moves to pay for her part, Jason waves her off, "Got to get going soon too but this is on me," he says pulling out a fifty drawn from the stash of a drug dealer he'd taken down the night before and putting it on the table.

Huntress has posed:
Helena Bertinelli nods, but puts a couple of dollars down anyways. "I am at least contriburing to the tip, because those dumplings were deserving of it." She nods to Tim as she gets up from her seat. "Of course I will, and I expect you boys to do the same if you need my assistance. Good night." With that all said she heads for the exit. It was time for the Huntress to get back on the prowl.

Red Robin has posed:
Tim Drake waves to Helena as she goes, and looks over to Jason and says "Ah can try but you might have a bit better luck with Damian setting it up. Donny has been busy so aint been online as much. I only got to meet him and think the other one was Leo."

Red Hood has posed:
"Fair enough," Jason says, he wasn't about to fight Helena over the tip, he adds her money on top of his. "We'll be in touch for sure," he promises. "It's been good seeing you around," he adds with a nod.

As for the brothers, "I'll talk to him about them then, sound like a good crew, might be helpful dealing with our new friends out of New York," Jason says.

Red Robin has posed:
Tim Drake blinks a bit as something dawns on him. "Four brothers taught by their Dad.. hmmm sounds vaguely familiar." He smirks and eats a dumpling.

Red Hood has posed:
Jason catches the comparison and smiles, "Is one a too-handsome know it all, the other one angsty and ruthless, the next nerdy and the last one extra ruthless?" he asks. "If so then we need to talk to our lawyers and sue," he jokes as he tucks away his last dumpling.

Red Robin has posed:
Tim Drake says, "Well I only met the two of them, and not exactly on judging their level of attractiveness, but I do know Donny and I have a lot in comment." He grins a bit and says "So you the angry and ruthles one or the extra ruthless one? He jokes."

Red Hood has posed:
Jason nods, "Fair enough," he says about their looks. Hey at least their lady friend was foxy, right? "Angry and ruthless one, but Damian is still the king of ruthlessness," a beat. "Don't tell him I said that."

Jason sits back in his chair then considering Tim. "So, what's been going on for you, 'sides your old teacher showing up back in town."

Red Robin has posed:
Tim Drake says, "Working on the place, getting my own band together, figure it is Damian's time to shine in the old one but still a reserve member if they need me." He then adds "Damian aint as bad as he wants everyone to think he is though, he actually a good kid."

Red Hood has posed:
"You're getting your own team together?" Jason asks brows raising and leaning forward. He'd tried his hand with that with the Outlaws to limited success, basically it was just him and Roy hanging out in the Red Cave. "Got a roster worked up yet?"

As for Damian, Jason nods, "I know, but he's not to be taken lightly either. He's done a lot in his life, it leaves marks."

Red Robin has posed:
Tim Drake nods, and says "Yea, looking at Steph, Conner, Garfield, don't know if you met him or not but Kitty's friend Doug, a guy doubt you have met Jua Mandla, Canary is going to help with some of the training and Cassie maybe joining up. He figures Jason knows most of who those folks are by their real names.

Red Hood has posed:
"Wow, quite the team," Jason says before nodding about Doug. "Yeah, know Doug, met him once, and he and Carrie went on a date one time." He considers the team then and asks, "What are you guys calling yourselves?"

Red Robin has posed:
Tim Drake looks over making sure not to be heard by to many and says "Outsiders, figure working outside the rules of some of the bigger teams that have to listen to government by laws and such, and make out own way at things.

Red Hood has posed:
"Good name," Jason says with a smile. "And can't argue with that mission statement either," he says chuckling and reaching across the table to mime pinching Tim's cheek. "Aww, you're all grown up and rebelling against Bruce, it's a right of passage with us," he drops his voice a little. "Robins."

Red Robin has posed:
Tim Drake shakes his head a bit and says "Not really rebelling, he knows about it, and who ya think paid for the hangout? It was originally going to just be my home and man cave. Bruce liked the idea of trying to make sure good came from that location. But gotta admit have got some good folks working with me.

Red Hood has posed:
Jason lowers his hand to get his cigarette and take a final drag before he stubs it out in the ashtray. "You were almost cool for a second there, Tim," he tells him with a grin. "But hey as long as the people are alright, you've got yourself a team."

He stands and stretches then, "Got to get ready for my night job, take it easy Tim and hope that team works out for you."

Red Robin has posed:
Tim Drake nods a bit and says "Well like Helena, if you need any help let me know, and I am always cool, your just to old to know it." He teases his older brother.