8383/Aquaman Gets a Full House (Sorry No Poker Involved)

Aquaman Gets a Full House (Sorry No Poker Involved)
Date of Scene:	18 July 2019
Location:	Gotham University
Synopsis:	Aquaman delivers a speech on ocean conservation at Gotham U, with Tim Drake, Carrie Kelley, and Stephanie Brown in attendance.
Cast of Characters:	Spoiler, Carrie Kelley, Red Robin, Aquaman

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Spoiler has posed:
There were posters plastered around campus, and emails and other electronic notifications, that the King of Atlantis was coming to Gotham University for a lecture/discussion that would be open to the public. Stephanie immediately grabbed her phone to text Carrie and Tim, wanting someone to go with her. Just because she knows Batman and associated heroes doesn't mean that Stephanie is used to seeing very many heroes. And the ones that have actual powers that don't fit in utility belts are just fascinating to her.

But on top of it, she's working for Tim now, and this seemed like a good opportunity to try to add to the list of items that would be available in the next charitable auction. Figuring out how to get a word with Aquaman might be the tough part, but then Tim has experience at that, right? So Stephanie shows up for the talk, ready to meet with her friends and go inside.

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Carrie Kelley hadn't really met many heroes herself out of the few she'd had chance to breifly work with. Yin, her sifu, Green Arrow, the guy who nearly got her blown up, and then several Birds of Prey and Batman himself. It was a small roster really, but not a bad one. When she receives Stephanie's text she was already on campus so it made the trip over to where the talk was being held.

Holding one of the brochures made for the event in hand she slips through the crowd hopping onto her toes to try and peer over and around others till she finally spots Stephanie. "Hey, Steph!" She greets aloud just before ducking past some one to end up near where she was. "Thanks for the heads up. I've been stuck in the theater for days now it seems."

Red Robin has posed:
Tim Drake does show up in normal attire. He spends a few moments looking for the two ladies, and will head over to them when he spots them. He has spent a bit more time around the big names, even helping the JLA on occasion, but besides maybe seeing him in passing Tim has not really spent much time with the Monarch of the seas. "Hello ladies, how are you doing tonight?

Aquaman has posed:
After everyone is settled, the dean of the political sciences department comes to the podium at the front of the room. He adjusts the mic and smiles gamely.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming to the Gotham University Department of Political Sciences weekly symposium on eco-policy. This week we have a special guest who will speak about the impact of global warming on the oceans and in turn, on our weather. He will also give us some insight into the policies of Atlantis Poseidonis, which will be of great interest to many of our graduate students. Please welcome King Orin II of Atlantis Poseidonis."

The dean claps and steps aside from the podium to look to the left of the stage. Arthur strides onto the stage wearing an Atlantean cut blue suit chased in gold with his dark hair down. At the back of the room, there are a few people who look too old and world-weary for students, likely reporters. They are surrounded by what are clearly journalism students trying to look serious. The rest of the room is predominantly made up of political science faculty and students, environmental activists and the curious.

"Thank you, Dr. Elliott," Arthur says after adjusting the mic up a bit. Then he tosses a small black device behind him.

"I will make this more interesting than the usual talk about climate policy. If you get bored, look at the pretty pictures and you will feel much better," he says dryly and waves his hand. A rich, full colour holographic ocean panorama fills the stage behind Arthur. "Now if you do not remember anything I say, you can blame it on the distraction.

After this Arthur begins into his speech proper. The backdrop shifts with his talk, taking the audience into the heights of the atmosphere and the jetstream, and then down into some stunning ocean vistas. The scenes of the sources of pollution that flow by are, deliberately, jarring in comparison to the dives through pristine ocean. The speech is more live narration of the three dimensional world that unfolds across the stage.

Spoiler has posed:
Stephanie greets her friends with tight hugs and smiles. "Glad you could make it," she says to both of them. Stephanie shows Tim some things she brought that she thought might make good items in the charitable auction of superhero memorabilia. "I thought maybe we could get him to sign them if we could catch him after," she says.

The blue-eyed blonde heads with the group into the large lecture room, spying a trio of empty seats together. She leads them that way, then sees Jordanna heading towards them from the other direction. Stephanie quickens her step, just avoiding stepping on the toes of people already seated as she beats the mean brunette from her Philosophy 103 class to the seat. Stephanie plops down in it, then feigns seeing Jordanna for the first time. "Oh, hello Jordie," Stephanie says sweetly. The brunette glares and turns, moving off to find other seats. She fluffs her hair as she does, looking toward the stage. Jordanna's reasons for coming to the talk have little to do with the talk and a lot to do with the talker, apparently.

Stephanie falls silent once the talk begins. Well, less talkative than usual anyway. "Oh my god he's got portable holo," she whispers to her friends excitedly. There are also a few oos and ahhs and also more than one ick given aloud, the latter at the pollution imagery.

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Carrie Kelley watches the exchange between 'Jordie' and Stephanie with barely hidden amusement at the entire thing. She wasn't one to really care about it though, and so she just plops down into a seat beside her. "Been doing good, Tim. Just cramming to get ahead on schoolwork before the busy theater season starts."

When Aquaman is introduced she falls silent watching with curiosity as he throws the object. Once it's revealed what it is, even she has to crack a grin in admiration. Now that was one way to garner attention among a group of students that were likely to have their phones out half the time. At least the ones who were here out of curiosity and not an attempt to fulfill some academic obligation. "That's pretty sweet. Well, the images aren't, but you know what I mean."

Red Robin has posed:
Tim Drake nods, and says "Atlantian tech is Amazing I have put some serious thought into trying to do an intern there for six months or so, but not sure how well that would work out with things. if you know what I mean." He does watch and listening, and even pulls out his phone, but it seems to be to take some notes on what Aquaman is saying.

Aquaman has posed:
The talk moves under the waves at high speed, taking the group from the waters off of an unidentified major city into the depths and into core Atlantean territorial waters. The difference in water, ecosystem health and marine diversity is startling. It brings home the perspective of Atlantis when it comes to the health of the waters of surface-dwellers. Then comes images of UN-Atlantis join projects in aquaculture, coral regeneration and number of other initiatives. Both the King and Princess Mera of Xebel, his rumoured betrothed, can be seen talking with surface officials at one of the projects that has almost completely restored the Great Barrier Reef. Arthur finishes with some discussion about Atlantean perspective on environmental shepherding and some tantalizing views of underwater Atlantean aquaculture, water oxygenation, power generation, pollutant capture, and in the distance, the glimmers of an Atlantean city. These play coyly with the viewer, hinting more than really showing the technology of the underwater realm.

"We have much to do together, and much to gain," Arthur finishes. "So we hope you will all find your way to heal our world and ensure our lasting, peaceful prosperity. And of course," he says and pauses.

A massive shark rushes out of the distant waters toward the camera, that retreats to the surface. The camera breaks the surface just as the shark catches and devours, movie style. There is a spray of actual water that patters lightly on the first few rows of people.

"Be nice to the sharks," Arthur finishes with a smile. He waves, retrieves his projector himself and the dean thanks while people clap. Arthur comes down with the dean into the room proper to talk, answer questions and pose for photographs.

Spoiler has posed:
Stephanie has several wow moments during the presentation. "Just never even considered what things are like down there. It's like a whole new world, but isn't," she whispers over to Tim and Carrie. Stephanie doesn't startle at the shark rushing, but does grin about it. She claps at the end with everyone else before rising to her feet. "Going to see if he'll sign any of this," Stephanie says, seeing if Carrie and Tim want to join her in going over to get in line to talk to Arthur, if possible.

Stephanie makes her way over there, only to have Jordanna and a friend step in front of Steph into the line at the last moment. "How appropriate, the King of Atlantis brings sharks, and we brought the chum," she says to one of her friends, who looks at Stephanie and laughs. Stephanie's hand clenches into a fist but she loosens it and turns away to Carrie and Tim instead.

When Jordanna gets to the front of the line she'll try to get a photo with Aquaman, leaning in against him as much as she's able for the picture. Betrothed or not. "Oh, you're just so amazing. And I'm so concerned about the state of the oceans. It really is great that we have you coming around to help raise the awareness," she gushes to Aquaman.

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Carrie Kelley claps at the end though it doesn't stop her from standing as she knew Stephanie wanted to go try and get something signed. She wasn't sure what, exactly, but it had to be something important if it had brought her out here in the first place. "Course. Got a Sharpie? Make sure it's waterproof," she teases about the signature only to narrow her eyes at the girls that step in front and start to hassle Steph.

"Wow, I didn't know people actually took 'Heathers' as a guide to life. Think they missed the point of it?" She watches as Jordanna starts to gush over Aquaman, and shakes her head with a bit of disgust.

"Hey, Jordache, weren't you the one who was trying to arrange the one thousand balloon release for homecoming?"

Red Robin has posed:
Tim Drake will wait till Jordache is trying to cuddle up to Aquaman, and will step up offering his hand "Your Majesty, Tim Drake-Wayne." Yep Tim dropped the big name, not something he does often, but if he is trying to make a point or to draw attention away from someone who snubs a friend. Oh yea. "It is a pleasure to meet you, I am glad I was able to come hear your speech. I have been following some of the projects Wayne enterprises has worked with you with, and your work is truly inspiring.

Aquaman has posed:
Arthur smiles gamely for the young woman and her picture, having been through exactly this who knew how many times before. "I cannot wait to see you in the news helping with a beach cleanup project then," Arthur says encouragingly. "My embassy leads volunteer teams every week. One of my assistants can sign you up," Arthur adds with a winning smile.

Tim interjects himself before Jordache can frame a reply and Arthur turns his attention to the newcomer.

"The pleasure is ours," Arthur replies and shakes Tim's hand a touch aggressively. "Any family of Mr. Wayne is a friend of mine," he says. He glances at one of his assitants, and the corps of young men and women in deep green Atlantean suits and dresses moves in to intercept others.

"Mr. Wayne has been neglectful, he didn't introduce us sooner," Arthur says. His diction here is a lot more formal than in many news snippets of him as Aquaman.

"Are these beautiful young ladies friends of yours?" he asks nodding in the direction of Stephanie and Carrie. He motions forward and his assistants give the two space to join Tim. He smiles and shakes each of their hands when they are introduced.

Spoiler has posed:
Jordanna flashes a glare towards Carrie for bringing up the ill-fated celebration that literally never got off the ground as people wrote in to the school paper about how bad the balloons would be for the environment. As Aquaman speaks of the cleanup program, she tells him, "Oh that sounds wonderful. Yes, and will you be there as these?" she asks hopefully.

But then Tim is moving over and Aquaman's staff is tactfully detaching Jordanna from where she's trying to stay near to Aquaman. "But, I'm still talking to him," she complains to one as she's gently walked away to make room for others.

Stephanie looks down, a hand going to cover her mouth to hide her smile. She does look up towards Carrie and Tim, warmth in her eyes as she's never had anyone on her side before when dealing with the Jordaches of the world.

She does end up closed away from Tim and Aquaman though as the aides settle in, until Arthur seems to notice and motions for she and Carrie to be let forward. The blonde gives a nod at the question about their being friends of Tim's. "Really loved your talk," Stephanie tells Aquaman earnestly. She has a bag in one of her hands, with a few small items that Aquaman would recognize as being of Atlantean make. Mostly the kind of thing that his embassy's gift shop might have for sale, but tasteful.

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Carrie Kelley grins warmly at the response from Jordanna as she wasn't bothered at all. No, she was used to making scenes of one sort or another. This was just with a smaller audience. A wink is given to Stephanie along with a little nudge of her elbow to her side when the aides are gestured to let them in closer. A silent bit of encouragement for getting what she needed done.

While Stephanie gives all the details she stuffs her hands in her pocket and nods toward him politely. "Carrie Kelley," she introduces of herself. "I'm a student teacher for one of Mr. Wayne's sons. No one important," she assures with a warm, easy grin. "Stephanie here's helping Tim out with some charity work I believe though." With that set up she lets Steph or Tim go from there.

Red Robin has posed:
Tim Drake nods, and says "Both of the ladies are close friends of mine, and I am sure you know how Dad" yea it still feels weird saying it but at least someone Damian probably had a chill run down his spine" is. He gets busy with something and al his attention is there until something else gets his attention. I was wondering if maybe I might be able to invite you to dinner or something when you finish so my friends and I maybe able to talk to you about a proposition.

Aquaman has posed:
"Thank you," Arthur replies to Stephanie. He notices the bag in her hand a smiles a bit. He looks amused when Carrie describes herself as unimportant.

"The Waynes do not have anyone unimportant or uninteresting around them, it is part of what makes them great, Ms. Kelley," he says with a wink.

"What are you studying?" he asks Stephanie and gestures for one of her items. He pulls his own pen out of his suit jacket and starts signing. Arthur raises an eyebrow at Tim when he makes his request.

"You are a Wayne. Do you know how many protocols you just broke asking that?" he asks. "And if you did, would that really stop you?" he adds with a bit of a grin.

"Dinner it is, come to the Embassy. Anyone allergic to seafood?" he asks them. His voice is just a bit louder when he asks, carrying to the nearest people beyond the assistants.

Once he finishes signing Stephanie's last item he makes a show of shaking Tim's hand and clapping him on the shoulder, and enveloping each of the ladies in a hug if they allow it. If Carrie does, she hears him whisper to her in the brief hug. "Jordache? Ouch." The he straightens up as if he had said nothing.

Spoiler has posed:
Stephanie smiles and nods quickly as Carrie makes a start on the introduction that Stephanie failed at. "Stephanie Brown," she tells him. "I'm still trying to decide on a major. I took a variety of courses so far and I think all I succeeding in doing is expanding my choices to so many it's even more difficult to make up my mind," she tells him, just a little bit bashfully as she realizes that probably doesn't make her sound like the most focused and driven student.

"Thank you," she says brightly though as he begins signing things. "These are for a charity auction of superhero items that we're holding," Stephanie tells him. She has an advert for it in her pocket she was going to show him, but with Tim's introduction of himself it seems less likely it will be needed now for him to believe her.

She takes the items back with a grateful smile, carefully stowing them back in the bag. "Seafood would be perfect," she says, grinning softly.

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Carrie Kelley only offers a shrug at mention of the Waynes not having anyone around them that was uninteresting. It wasn't the main focus of the moment, it was Tim and Stephanie's charity work. She'd just been along for the ride. "Maybe," she agrees before the mention of food is offered. "I'm a college student. So long as it doesn't move, I'm good," she assures with a little laugh. The hug is accepted, and the little whisper earns a quiet snicker from her in response before she steps away again. "Thanks for the invite. I ought to go check on the theater for now though. Thanks for inviting me along Steph, Tim. Catch up with you later?" And then she's off.

Red Robin has posed:
Tim Drake nods and says "Well I do try to be the good one, but it can be hard to remember it at times." He jokes about the comment on Waynes. "Yes they are both exceptional, i count myself lucky to have both of them as friends. He will smile and says "I would love to find out more about your people and their culture." He will offer the man a slight bow as a sign of respect. "Thank you."