3329/North American Cuisine

North American Cuisine
Date of Scene:	07 December 2017
Location:	Gotham City
Synopsis:	Summary needed
Cast of Characters:	Dragon, Oracle

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Dragon has posed:
    It was a cool autumn day in Gotham, cloudy with a hint of rain. Or perhaps snow. The temperature was hovering around 1 degree at this time of day. Late afternoon, commuters were heading home, people were on the streets, and many dinner establishments were starting to get busy as people grabbed whatever was easiest for dinner in the busy city. The sun was, even now hidden behind the dark clouds, disappearing for the night. The night was where other types came out to prowl the streets of the dark city.

    Wandering down the street, wearing a light jacket, skin-tight leather pants, soft, well worn boots, and an open shirt was Richard Dragon. His hands were clasped behind his back, as he appears to be slightly distracted. "What was that smell...?" Richard looks around, and notices a "Big Belly Burger". "Interesting..."

Oracle has posed:
Although she *can* be considered 'other types,' what with her night job, Barbara Gordon also has a day job. And tonight is supposed to be one of those longer nights, so instead of cooking at home, she's going to cheat like heck and grab burgers. She might even be nice and grab one to go for a certain vigilante in training who tends to eat cereal for dinner -- ick!

She's heading in the direction of the burger place when she's pulled up short at the sight of a familiar face. Thank goodness. There's a rush of relief that leaves her momentarily shaken -- the arrival of this man was not a certainty but it was devoutly wished for. She alters her path to bring her within speaking distance, approaching at an oblique angle just because of the direction she came from. Quietly, she greets, "Sensei Dragon. I cannot begin to articulate how glad I am to see you here in Gotham."

Dragon has posed:
    Dragon's eyes scan the establishment with an air of resistance. His mouth waters at the smell. This was something that was never usually ingested, after all, his body was a temple, la, la, la, la. Right now what he wanted was one of those North American, greasy, hamburgers...maybe even with cheese...and...

    It was obvious by the very subtle expression on his face, only noticed by those who knew him, that Dragon was surprised. When his eyes locked onto Barbara Gordon's, the surprise was quickly replaced by a smile and a look of warmth and acknowledgement.

    "Why, if it isn't Ms. Gordon herself." Dragon stops, turns to face Barbara, and bows respectfully to his former student. "I am truly happy to see you." Dragon looks over his shoulder at the "Big Belly Burger" and says, "Are you also here to defile your body with the greasy godliness of a Big Belly Burger?" His eyes flash with mischieviousness.

Oracle has posed:
Offering him the respectful bow that he always gets from her in return. "I am assuredly also here to defile the temple of my body with burgers," she laughs as she straightens up. "Because there is no greasy burger better than a Big Belly, right?" She gestures to the door. "Would you like to join me for dinner? I wasn't expecting to catch you here, but ... hey, opportunity presents itself, we might as well take it, yes?"

Dragon has posed:
    "I have heard that yes." Dragon grins. He pats his tummy, and says, "It just means several hundred more sit ups, pull ups, exercises, etc. in order to kill the calories." Dragon eyes Babs for a moment, looking her over with an appraising air, then, nodding in satisfaction. "Not that you have those worries. I see you are still maintaining your intensive regimen. Well done."

    Dragon smiles, and says, "That sounds wonderful. We can catch up." Opening the door to the restaurant for Babs to enter, Dragon adds, "I have been back for a few days. Sampling the..." Dragon looks back at the Big Belly Burger, smiles, nods his head, and finishes with, "...Gotham cusine." Dragon nods his head slightly. "Interesting city."

Oracle has posed:
Barbara laughs and then acknowledges the compliment, "Well, thank you. I do try. I can't afford to indulge too often. The amount of exercise I get in a day is pretty signiicant, but some things burn off a *lot* easier than others." She seems to take pride in the fact that he's happy with the continued effort -- his training was important to her, clearly.

As she steps into the Big Belly, though, she shakes her head. "I don't know that I'd call this the best of Gotham cuisine... just the best of the fast-food cuisine," Barbara admits. Making their orders is a pretty simple process that takes little time, so it's a very short time later that they find themselves sitting at a table together. As she removes her coat and gets comfortable in her chair, Barbara's blue eyes study him closely.

"I'm not sure whose invitation reached you - or if all of the feelers did, but can I assume that your arrival at least indicates a minimum knowledge of what's been happening?" she wonders curiously, a smile quirking her lips. "I think there are probably several of us who would vastly appreciate having your expertise here in town for a time."

Dragon has posed:
    Moving to the table after the interesting encounter with the minimum wage worker at the counter, Dragon looks at the items he has ordered with a quizzical expression. A hamburger platter, with cheese, a salad, and a bottle of water

    Nodding, Dragon looks over at Babs, and says, "Ah yes. The "feelers". At least three of those feelers were...aggressive in nature. I believe that there are many out there who did not want me to come to Gotham. They were dealt with. In two of the cases, severely." Dragon sighs, obviously not wanting to resort to the "final solution", but sometimes it was a necesssity.

    "I do know what is going on. At a minimum level, as you put it." That was his sense of humour. Sometimes dark, most times dry, but always a little touch of sarcasm. "Strange. To see Lady Shiva again, and now you. It has been too long since we last spoke. Life has been racing by, like a river that has flooded from a spring storm, eroding the banks of life, like drifting sand on the wind."

    Looking back at Babs, Dragon smiles, "Several. Well now, that is an improvement on Shiva saying "a couple". I must be well liked indeed." There was that glint of mischief once more.

Oracle has posed:
Both of her copper brows shoot straight up her forehead at the news that people tried to STOP him from coming here. How bizarre! That is not something she was expecting at all. She picks up her bottle of water and opens it, a frown furrowing her brow as she considers the ramifications of that. She leaves off the query about whether he'd like her to look into the matter... she will anyway.

Barbara's always appreciated his dry humor, and she can't stop the faint grin that clears up the worried expression. "Truly, it has been a long time. And of course you are well liked, Sensei," she teases back. "Who *else* is going to put all of us on our butts and make even the most experienced of us look like toddlers on the mat while the others giggle?" Being as he's one of the few who can put down Batman himself, it's entirely possible that the imagery is one that makes her snicker to herself quite often when Bruce is pummeling on them in practice.

"There is, of course, the obvious one who was foolish enough to challenge Shiva," she acknowledges, with a roll of the eyes at Dick's foolishness. "But certainly I, for one, am hoping you perhaps have time in your day for more than one student." She smiles genuinely. "I truly enjoyed learning with you, and I was sorry that I didn't have more of an opportunity back then. Perhaps I can rectify that now."

Dragon has posed:
    Dragon bows his head in respectfully deference to her compliment about him being well liked. His smile was true, and his chuckle genuine. "Yes, well, there has been once or twice when one or two of you returned the favour. Even "him"." Richard nods. "You are a quick learner, and I am sure, before too long, you will be the Sensei."

    Taking a drink of water to wash down the sorry excuse for a salad he had just eaten, Richard sets his eyes on the burger, and his expression changes to a predatory one. "Hmmm...?"

    "Ah yes. Our Mr. Grayson. Well, now, that is an interesting conundrum. Speed and finesse, versus relentlessness and iron. A true match for the ages, indeed.

    Pausing only long enough to take a bite, and to wipe the smear of ketchup from his chin with a quick flick of the napkin, Richard says, "Of course." His eyes sparkle. "We can, rectify that, with the grace of time and opportunity. I would be honoured to teach you, and I would truly enjoy seeing how far you've come since our last training session."

Oracle has posed:
A faint blush climbs her cheekbones, and Barbara admits, "Perhaps not as far as you might think." She nibbles at the edge of her burger and after swallowing, the redhead smiles. "I've been diligent at practice, but not as focused on advancing, I think. Other priorities." Rather than the streets? One of the Bat's younglings? Inconceivable! Or not.

"A match for the ages," Barbara comments, her tone ... not derisive exactly, but with definite worry underlying any amusement. "Considering the circumstances around that cluster, I hope you'll forgive me for saying that I certainly hope you'll be able to help him." Her blue eyes flicker slightly as she glances away. "The loss would be... beyond measure. Perhaps especially for 'him.'"

She shakes her head and applies herself back to her meal. "You said you'd been in town for several days. Tell me of your travels since we last met?" Barbara asks, genuinely curious about what new and amazing things he might have seen.

Dragon has posed:
    "Ah." Richard takes another bite of his burger, and swallows. "Not as...appetizing as I thought. I prefer my own cooking I think." Richard puts the half eaten burger down, and returns his attention to Barbara. "There are always other priorities. As long as you have kept the spirit of the teachings alive, and in here..." Richard taps his chest near his heart, "...you will always advance in your martial skills, and in life." He next taps his forehead, "It is in here where the true battle lies. Of that I am sure you are well aware, considering your...nocturnal activities."

    Richard leans back in the plastic chair, with the fake plastic cushions. "I do not know if I can truly help him. His battle is in his own spirit. And his ego. A truly...dangerous combination." Richard sighs, and shakes his head.

    "It is hubris that can defeat even the greatest amongst us. He never should have...made that agreement with Lady Shiva. She is...dangerous." His pauses emphasize his point. Looking out the window, his eyes grow distant for a moment. "Loss...indeed. He has lost so much...however, I think the deeper loss would be to Mr Grayson." That twinkle again.

    "AH yes." Richard's eyes find Bab's once more, and he smiles. "Well. That would be telling...perhaps over a brisk walk to burn off these calories?" Richard gets up, and deposits his waste in the recepticle. "AFter all, fresh air is good for cleansing ones spirit. Even if it is Gotham air...and telling stories of far away lands." A chuckle escapes Richard's lips.

Oracle has posed:
Barbara's blue eyes are watchful as he considers the situation and the hubris that is likely attached to it. "No, she shouldn't have," Barbara replies, a little tightly. "But occasionally, with only a fraction of a moment to consider, I suppose we all make mistakes." She pushes back from the seat and nods immediately. Being on the move will definitely be a much better place to get reacquainted -- talking about Shiva makes her very antsy. "I'd love to walk off this ... 'wonderful' excuse for dinner," she agrees with a grin. She disposes of her trash as they head out into the evening's waning light.