15609/Metropolis BBQ Rib Cook Off and Fireworks Spectacular

Metropolis BBQ Rib Cook Off and Fireworks Spectacular
Date of Scene:	17 September 2023
Location:	Centennial Park, Southside, New Troy, Metropolis
Synopsis:	Spike and Kara.
Cast of Characters:	Spike, Supergirl

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Spike has posed:
Every year, on the last Friday of Summer, Metropolis plays host to the annual BBQ Rib Cook Off and Fireworks Spectacular. It starts early, with a Ferris wheel, bumper cars, rollercoaster, ring toss, and so many other games to be played in the carnival like atmosphere. There was cotton candy, copious amounts of sugar drinks, and of course, the rib cook off. All through the day, ribs were served, though the winner wouldn't be announced until well after sunset, as it would be capped off with a fireworks display, and that needed the darkness.

Spike had heard about this, and taken steps to attend. Getting to Metropolis was easy enough, he simply drove up there in his 1959 DeSoto Fireflite, during the day, because he liked to live dangerously, found a decent shaded area to park, and waited until it was dark enough that he could come out. He had actually spent most of the time waiting by playing some remastered Disney game on a Nintendo Switch that he had nicked, but then his batteries ran out, and he had to switch to his phone, where he could make use of Metropolis' free city-wide WiFi.

That was a life saver. Unfortunately, it too would drain his battery. And when the electronics were gone, he was forced to read... the manual. He still had it.

But at long last, he was able to freely leave his car, taking the beer cans, the bags of crisps, and the candies, tossing the trash into a nearby waste receptacle, and he headed into the Centennial Park grounds, making a bee line to the ribs queue. Taking up a spot, he said aloud, "been waiting all day for these ribs. They bloody be worth it."

Supergirl has posed:
Kara is attending as well because who doesn't like great barbeque? She might be from another planet but even she recognized the superiority of humans in this particular talent. Thus she was there, hair back in a ponytail and hiding the lighter highlights where the sun would bleach out the color, glasses on because they totally worked weirdly enough. She was wearing jeans, sneakers, and a t-shirt with Hello Kitty on it. Only Hello Kitty was Darth Kitty, complete with helmet and little bow.

Hearing the British accent behind her and the comment, she turned and gave the man there a smile. "It's completely worth the wait. You'll see. You ever had American barbeque before? I think this is more Texas style, not Tennesee or even Georgia. Lots of areas vie for the title of best and think they are. But no matter, they're all good so." She took a step forward then looked back to him. "I'm Kara."

Spike has posed:
Spike immediately sized her up as an attractive young woman who for one reason or another was hiding that behind a shell. Give him time, and he'd figured it out, or at least come up with a guess. Unlikely in the extreme to be Supergirl, but that could confuse his ultra sensitive bullshit detector. He didn't mean to, it was just his way. He saw, he thought, he figured things out.

"American barbecue, Korean barbecue, lots of different types. Though, I'm not sure my pallet is sensitive enough to know the difference in Texas, Tennessee, or even Georgia." He looked her over again when she stepped forward, "Spike," he said. Sometimes he wished he went with a better moniker, William blended so much easier. But he also was being nice, and respected the stranger enough to give his real name. He paused, smiled to himself, added, "only a master of grilling, Darth." Xander would be proud.

Supergirl has posed:
She grinned and glanced down at her shirt before giving a little shrug. Another step forward though it was more sideways as Kara was paying attention to her new acquaintance. "Different spices, rubs versus sauces. It's a whole thing. So much drama." A faint giggle of amusement.

"All that really matters is it's all good. I'm a sucker for smoked though, with no sauce. Just the purity of it. Which sounds...really weird now that I said it outloud," she added.

"It's nice to meet you, Spike. That's really a great name. Don't think I've ever met someone named Spike before."

Spike has posed:
"Sounds like you've been doing yer research." He noted the drama, and the giggle of amusement. "I do like smoking," he added, as he seemed to be in the queue with her, more so than behind her now. "It's the slow heat, combined with sugar, that caramelises the meat, gives it that distinctive flavour. It turns brown... er, and takes on that rich, sweet, and nutty flavour. Works on anything really, caramelised onions, apples, you get the idea."

"It's less common," which was true, "though, Kara's not exactly commonplace either. I can't remember the last time I met a Kara." She certainly seemed sweet and approachable.

Supergirl has posed:
"I've only met a few. Think it was a family name but can't really say for sure." Since she couldn't really go ask her parents about it. Maybe at the Fortress? Nah, seemed a silly thing to be asking about from the technological wonders that existed there. She'd just stick to guessing it was.

"I travel a lot," she admitted, going back to the mention of research. "I also eat out a lot. I don't cook. I mean, I can make enough to keep myself alive but not like cook cook. "I'm a multimedia reporter intern at the Daily Planet." And she seemed very proud of that title. "My cousin works there. So sort of takes me under his wing, helps teach me the ropes as they say. I've even gotten to the point I get paid instead of working for free!"

Spike has posed:
Spike scoffed and smirked at her joke, and her speech pattern. She can't like cook-cook. "An intern." He said, voice rising in interest a little, "does that mean you've been reporting on all the problems of Metropolis, the way the grass isn't quite that perfect shade of green, the way that cool breeze might come just half an hour too late after a heat wave?" He was being sarcastic, given how idyllic it was out here, especially compared to the likes of Gotham and Bludhaven.

"It's good to have family. And paid!" His voice raised at the pay. "So, does that mean you'll be buying my ribs for me? I'll have you know, I'm not that easy." Oh, the sarcasm was dripping right now.

Supergirl has posed:
And instead of rebuffing that, Kara actually laughed. Because she found it funny and knew he was kidding. Or presumed he was kidding. He was kidding, right? He had to be kidding, no one actually said things like that and meant them. It was all in food fun.

"Sure if you agree to buy me a funnel cake later. Not one of those super fancy ones. Just fried dough and powered sugar. Well, maybe a lemonade. Though not at the same time cause that would be awful!"

She slipped her arm into his like they were old friends because, well, Kara wasn't exactly scared of anyone hurting her like a normal girl might be. Even if he was a serial killer creep, she was pretty sure she could handle that situation.

Spike has posed:
He was trying to get a rise out of her, and he got the laugh and the smile. Spike may have been a vampire who, prior to the chip, ate people, and perhaps, he would do so again if not for the chip, but he was never a bad person, never went out of his way to torture anyone who didn't cause him reason to. He was not a play with his food sort, like Angelus. He ate, and went on with his day or night as the case may be.

He nodded his head at her order, and how it changed or added, as she thought it through.

And when she slipped her arm into his, he blinked. He didn't pull back, but she genuinely surprised him, and he liked that. She was tough to read. When they got to the front of the queue, he began by ordering, "we'll have a portion of Mark's Texas Hold'Em Ribs, one o' those Tennessee Titanic Ribs, one of the Georgian Devil Ribs, and" turning to Kara, he looked her over, "you sure you're gonna have room for the funnel cake and lemonade?"