Finessing a Date.

[Zeronone]

Robbie sighed as he stood up, holding his phone in one hand as he looked down at the phone number. He walked a few paces before turning and walking the other way, hand going through his black and white hair before sitting down again only to get up once more. Sitting in a chair a younger boy watched his older brother with a slight smirk. "Robbie, just text her already!"

"Shut up, Gabe I will."

Gabe shook his head as he watched Robbie fidget with his phone. Honestly, he found it extremely amusing to see his brother so flustered. Robbie was usually so much in control of everything going on around him. Guess all it took was a pretty girl to throw his brother off his game.

Robbie looked over at his little brother who was watching him, looking down at the phone he took a deep breath before tapping the name and pulling up the text screen. Fingers moving quickly before he had time to chicken out.

"Hey, Jeanna. It's Robbie, me and Gabe just got back into the city. Was wondering if you were free to grab lunch or something." And send. Robbie stared at the message for a moment before closing his eyes and cursing. It's Robbie? Of course, it was him, she definitely had his real name... oh wow. He sighed and sat down, his head going into his hands.

Gabe chuckled before standing up, walking on his own was a miracle to him but he was still kind of unbalanced. Because of his brother and that Excaliber lady, he would be able to walk the rest of his life. He placed a hand on his brother's shoulder, giving it a squeeze.

"Hey, Excaliber said this girl liked you. So, relax. Also... take a shower. You smell like motor oil." He laughed and dodged a playful swing by Robbie.

Looking down, Robbie stared at the phone hoping it wouldn't be too long before she replied.

[aquarius]

Jeanne was relaxing watching a video of one of the world's finest clarinet players (instantly becoming their equal in so doing - even when relaxing, Finesse was learning) when her phone chimed indicating a text message arriving from a new number. This was rare enough on its own, let alone from a number that hadn't been in her contacts list already. A quick glance to read the message and she found herself smiling faintly at the painfully obvious teenage crush his attempt at communication indicated, before realising that she was smiling, and understanding what that implied.

Taking a moment to consider this, she sent a reply quickly, oblivious to the social signals doing so would send.

I am on relaxed duty currently, so can meet you whenever is convenient. Pick a date, time and location and I will be happy to be there. 'Work clothes' or civilian attire?

Jeanne's wardrobe was mostly very 'average' in what it contained, given her relative lack of social awareness it was far easier to simply wear things that made as little statement as possible. However, if he indicated a preference for regular clothing then she may well have to seek assistance in selecting clothing suitable for the occasion. Though deciding who from would be difficult. Her fellow students would be the most likely to be up to date on current fashions, but then there would be all the complicated interactions that would then initiate. So... Maybe Janet Van Dyne? She was a fashion expert, and far less likely to make a deal out of any such advice being sought. And of course letting her instructors know that she was interacting with others in a social context, on her own initiative, might get them to stop worrying so much...

[Zeronone]

Robbie stared out the window as he waited for any kind of response, almost jumping when he saw the reply so quickly. He read it three times in a row, a small smile growing into a larger one. "Okay, okay. Just relax, don't over think it. Just hanging out with a pretty girl who is awesome at everything, nothing to worry about."

His fingers moved quickly as he wrote a response. "Was thinking tomorrow, around lunch time. I don't know the area well so if you have a favorite place to eat that be awesome. Civilian is good but whatever you are comfortable with." And Send.

Robbie sighed as he leaned back, eyes closed for a moment before he heard a snicker. He turned his head to see Gabe watching him from the door, a small smirk on his face.

"Shut it, Gabe." He teased, throwing a pillow at his little brother. He turned his head back to the ceiling and took a deep breath. "Alright, something to move towards."

A slithering voice echoed in his mind, the feeling of something slithering over his mind. "Little Robbie in love? How sweet. Don't forget our deal, I will let you have your little puppy love. But never forget... you are mine!"

Robbie grimaced, closing his eyes. "Shut the hell up, Eli. And stay out of my personal life!"

The voice chuckled and vanished, but Robbie knew better. Eli was always there.

[aquarius]

What sort of venues were suitable for what would no doubt be 'first date' activities? This was far from Jeanne's area of expertise but she had a good enough knowledge of trends and cultural norms that she could improvise at least something. Food was not much of a concern of hers either. Whilst she had favourites she did try to keep her diet varied for the myriad health benefits from doing so. This meant that this was no direct help in making a decision either. However this meant she could improvise something with her characteristic efficiency.

There's a Starkbucks Coffee shop a little over a block down from Avengers Mansion. Meet there at midday, and work out where to go from there?

There were quite a few places to eat nearby, a great many of them the various food carts that were an integral part of the city's culture. She quite enjoyed sampling them on occasion, and hopefully they'd find something new and interesting. If not, maybe they'd wander into something more exciting than her instructors would approve of. Like the last time she'd met someone at that coffee shop, in fact. That had resulted in her fighting The Rhino with a few of the Young Avengers. Now that had been great fun. Like that warehouse team-up with the Ghost Rider, of course...

[Zeronone]

Robbie wondered what kind of places Jeanne liked. He didn't have much of a palate for higher type food. He lived on hamburgers and nachos, most places you went in and sat down was kind of out of Robbie's wheelhouse. His phone dinged and checking it he read it a couple of times before smiling. Starbucks, yeah that was good. And working out where to go from there meant a conversation starter. His hands felt sweaty as he responded.

That sounds great, will see you tomorrow at Noon. Can't wait." And send.

He sighed as he laid back, closing his eyes. Now what to wear? Casual was fine so jeans and a shirt plus his hoodie. Well, that was that solved. He looked down at his phone and took a deep breath. He was nervous, kind of hard not to be. Jeanne was very different from the girls he had dated before, not that he had much luck in that arena. Well, more about time because of Gabe. But his brother was doing better, and Jeanne was a big reason for that. Plus, she was really beautiful.

He shook his head and looked out the window at New York. It was so different yet so similar to LA. Big buildings, people, crime and gangs. But New York was ordered, it was controlled chaos. LA was wild and violent; you could get lost there even if you grew up there. But here he and Gabe could start over, with Gabes legs working he could be a normal kid. Of course, Robbie still had one problem. The hissing laughter behind his eyes told him that his passenger knew exactly what he was thinking.

[aquarius]

A reply came back, and Jeanne read it with a brief smile, responding with an uncharacteristic pair of emojis - A simple thumbs up followed by a heart. Whether that was 'normal' to send when arranging a first date she had no idea and it was unlikely anyone she knew was in a position to comment on 'normal'. The closest was Ms Marvel, and given her ethnic background and age it was statistically unlikely she had any knowledge of 'first date' arrangements.

With her reply sent she turned her attention to her somewhat limited wardrobe, considering her various options (mostly too formal or too 'work' related) before finally seeking advice. When she left the mansion the next day, it was wearing an extremely average outfit comprising jeans, a plain black shirt, and a lightweight navy jacket over the top. Given that Robbie had seen her with her mask off there was no need to ensure she was recognisable. She'd seen him 'flamed down' to borrow an expression from the Human Torch, but was confident she'd have been able to identify him easily anyway just from body language.

Arriving early at the coffee chain outlet owned by her employer Mr Stark, she got herself a hot chocolate and sat down at one of the outdoors tables, surveying all passers-by for the tiniest piece of interesting information about them, though it was a very dull morning in that respect. By this point it wasn't long until Robbie was due to arrive, so she remained alert for his approach.

[Zeronone]

Robbie looked at the emojis and a small smile formed. It was a good sign and a bit of normal. Well, normal as could be for a Ghost Rider with a serial killer in his head and a future Avenger with skills he couldn't imagine having. He left the hotel wearing black jeans, a white shirt and his hoodie. He thought about taking his car but decided against it. Jeanne had talked about walking around and checking places out. So, no car. He headed towards the Star Bucks she mentioned, using his phones GPS to find it.

He stopped half a block away and took a deep breath, he was nervous as one could be. But it was a good nervous, at the same time he wondered why he was nervous. She had seen him with a flaming skull and hadn't run off screaming. Surely, she would like him as he was now. Or maybe it was the Rider she liked? He shook his head. No! Don't think that just go in and be yourself.

Another deep breath and Robbie came around the corner, walking by the front window and opening the door. The little bell clanged as he stepped inside. His eyes moved quickly before landing on the beautiful woman sitting at a table. He smiled and waved before walking over.

"Hey Jeanne."

[aquarius]

Whilst waiting, Jeanne had noticed very little that was even slightly worth her attention, keeping her mind occupied giving further consideration to one of the more recent scientific papers written by Doctor Pym. She could recite it word for word of course, and indeed understood all the science involved. But to understand it did not mean she could necessarily get the most out of it, in scientific terms. Very early on in her education with the Avengers she had learned the difference between knowing the moves of the best fighters in the world, and in knowing when to use them. Knowledge was no different.

Robbie arrived with little fuss or ceremony, which suited Jeanne greatly. She'd thought about what to do at this point, knowing how first impressions were disproportionately significant to people's memories of you. A kiss was likely to be too familiar so early on, the handshake usually shared with professional interactions too formal, so she'd decided on something hopefully in the 'Goldilocks zone' of just rightness. As he approached she stood up from her seat and gave him a brief hug as he reached her.

"Hi! Good to see you again. How's Gabe? I trust he's stayed out of too much mischief?"

Whilst Excalibur surely knew how Gabe was doing, confidentiality rules meant she'd not be able to discuss anything about a patient so Jeanne hadn't even bothered to ask. Also, this meant she had an easy conversation starter with Robbie now he was here, traditionally a difficult prospect for people in her situation and a long way outside her usual area of expertise.

[Zeronone]

Robbie smiled as he walked towards Jeanne, seeing her stand up he almost froze. What should he do? A kiss felt off, they had only hung out once. A handshake didn't feel right either. The answer was made as she hugged him, and he quickly hugged back. Holding it till she released and doing the same. He took a seat and smiled at her question, a great ice breaker. He had wondered what they would talk about, being the last time they saw each other she was being a kick ass super ninja Avenger and he was a flaming skull dude from hell.

"Gabe is doing great actually, thanks to you and Excaliber. He is moving around a lot more and has even started running." Robbie could never repay that debt no matter how much he tried. That woman had given him a gift that meant more to him then a mountain of gold. His little brother once confined to a wheelchair or crutches could not run and play and most importantly, laugh.

He felt a little awkward, Jeanne looked amazing. A hiss in his head whispered "What are waiting for? Tell her that. I have to play wingman too?"

Robbie held back the grimace of Eli whispering in his head. Even on a date there was a tag along. But seemed whatever was going on with Eli he was getting his kicks. Still, it was good advice.

"You look great, Jeanne. I hope you weren't waiting too long." Okay, good start...maybe.

[aquarius]

Gabe was already able to run around? That was faster progress than Jeanne had expected. It seemed that Excalibur's powers were more extensive than what her file had implied, though that was perhaps due to not much testing their limits yet. Regardless, it was good to hear that Robbie's younger brother was starting to approach a normal life, after so long reliant on mechanical aids for even basic mobility. For someone with Jeanne's levels of athletic prowess, a life in a wheelchair seemed a dreadful prospect, especially as he didn't have her equally advanced cognition to offer alternatives to physical activities.

"I am glad to hear he is doing well. No doubt he will soon start taking the usual risks of a child his age though, so it may be worth reviewing your home medical supplies, if you haven't already. Scraped knees and small cuts can acquire nasty infections, especially in less affluent neighbourhoods."

It was perhaps as much a curse as a blessing, having her ever practical mindset. Sometimes it would be pleasant to simply make small talk with someone, but her brain was 'always on', and so she never knew what it was to 'just chill' as her fellow Avengers Academy students had put it.

Even when Robbie complimented her, her mind continued its analysis of every tiny detail that might pass by a normal person's notice. Slight change in the pattern of his eye movements, faint tensing of jaw muscles briefly, the slightest shift in his body language, it all spoke of something thoroughly unpleasant on his mind distracting him, though it seemed his response to it was to focus on her. She'd have to read up on all the Avengers knew on the 'Sprit Of Vengeance' which was the source of a Ghost Rider's power, since there were several different theories that had been proposed in the lowest level clearance files she'd had access to when she'd started her training, and she hadn't returned to the subject since her most recent clearance level upgrade.

"Thank you. And no, I wasn't. You arrived within two minutes of when we had agreed to meet, so I was actually waiting for slightly less time than I'd anticipated. Though I still have little idea what to actually do on our date. Research on the internet has proven... of limited use. A great many suggestions, most of which may not interest you in the slightest. Walking in the park, going to see a movie, assorted sporting activities..."

[Zeronone]

Robbie watched Jeanne, a smile on his face as he took a seat across from her. The advice was a good one and one he needed to utilize Now that Gabe was up and about, he would face new challenges for him. Note to self, stop at the CVS and pick up a first aid kit.

"That is great advice, thanks Jeanne. I hadn't really thought about it, more excited by watching him run around and laughing. I seriously can't thank you and Excaliber enough. Not that I asked you out because of that, I really think you are beautiful and awesome... I am going to stop talking now."

He blushed a little, sliding his hand through his hair as a nervous tick. He listened to what she grabbed off the internet and a little smile formed. She really was cute, especially her preparation nature. Since that day in the Warehouse and then the Avenger building, Jeanne had always been so in control. He liked that, after all he had been alone so long and winging it.

"Honestly, all of those sound great. Doesn't really matter what we do or where we go. I just want to hang out and spend time with you. We can go walking, you did mention wanting to hit up some food carts I recall. Honestly, you could give me the grand tour of your favorite places. Anything is good for me."

[aquarius]

Jeanne smiled faintly at his comments, uncharacteristically lacking the precise control of her emotions that she was widely known for, not least because she was far from familiar with this sort of experience - this kind of attention. New emotions took some time to adjust to. Maybe this was why teenagers were widely considered to be overemotional...

"My classmates have described me as a 'ninja librarian' before, but I simply view myself as practical. As such, might I suggest we go to the nearest mall to wander round it like suggestion number five on my list, where there will certainly be a drug store, and we can put together a decent home first aid kit. I quite often tend to my own scrapes and cuts from training, and of course I have a comprehensive knowledge of the basics of field medicine."

Naturally she had frequent check-ups with medical professionals (including Excalibur) but that simply served to confirm her diagnosis and treatment of any minor problems she had. Finesse was sensible enough to know when something was serious enough to get a second opinion.

She took a large sip from her drink, putting down the now empty cup as she looked across the table to Robbie. "Shall we go now, or did you want to stay here a little longer?"

[Zeronone]

Robbie chuckled softly at the nickname her classmates had bestowed on her. Honestly it fit her so well. The small smile made his heart skip, and he cleared his throat. It had been a long time since he had gone on a date, taking care of Gabe had been a full-time thing and girls hadn't really high on the priority list. Then the whole flaming skull thing happened and that made dating even more awkward. But having someone around who already knew your situation and didn't treat you like a freak was really nice.

"Ninja librarian, you know that fits. Sure you don't want to change that codename?" He smiled jokingly.

Her idea was actually perfect, he hadn't been to a mall in a very long time. It would feel good to just be a teenager and hang out with an awesome girl for a day. No hero, no serial killer pushing him, no worries about his little brother.

"That sounds like a great idea, we can go now. Do you want to get something to eat at the mall as well?"

[aquarius]

The description of her by her classmates was one that she'd always understood simply because her knowledge and recall skills meant that to an average person she might as well be all knowing - she considered herself lucky they'd decided on librarian, a profession she respected, and not something her peers were more familiar with of 'the internet'. The 'ninja' part was one that could be applied to a great many of the heroes - trainee and otherwise - they knew. Overall it could have been a lot less tolerable a nickname.

"Finesse was a name chosen by my instructors. I feel it suits me for now, if that changes I would consider changing to something else. It would depend on what I had become at that point, of course."

As Robbie said they could go now, she rose once more from her seat and began fastening her jacket's buttons before placing her empty cup on the end of the counter for the staff to clear away - Jeanne knew that being considerate to people in service roles was simple, cost her nothing, and ensured a good impression resulting in a good chance of better service next time she visited.

"Let's go, then. I don't get to see 'normal life' much, I am sure we will both enjoy this."

With that she moved towards the door of the coffee shop and once outside reached a hand out for Robbie's as they walked side by side.

[Zeronone]

Robbie hadn't really chosen his name, everyone called him Ghost Rider or Rider when they met him. He didn't blame them really, having learned there were other people out there capable of doing what he could do. Was only natural, besides what would he call himself, the Derby Devil, Flame on, Fire skull? None of those were any good and besides, he liked Ghost Rider. Though he usually shortened it to Rider when he met people.

"Honestly, I liked Finesse. It has a sound of confidence and bad assery to it. Both things I see in you."

He stood with her, watching her set the cup down he waived at the staff as they walked outside. The crisp cool air of New York was so different from LA where it was always warm. He looked down and took her hand, feeling her strong grip. It was weird though, he wore the hoodie because he always had but since becoming the Rider, heat and cold hadn't really been a thing for him. He was always comfortable.

The bustling city was on full display as they walked hand in hand, so many people walked back and forth. Business suits, street attire, one guy wearing what looked like shrink wrap and boxers. New York was a wild place, everywhere you looked there was something. He kept an eye out wondering if he would see Spider-man swinging through the air or Ironman flying around. New York was their playground after all.

"So, you said a normal day out. What do you usually do for fun when not being the next top Avenger?"