Hawks and Ducks [OPEN]

[Roy Harper - Arsenal]

It had been a late rising in the morning for Roy Harper, as it often is, unless he was bound by insomnia or something redundant that got him up before 8 am. Which for some may not seem all that early, but when you hero clock randomly ends usually between 2-4 in morning, if it ever ends. Yeah, its definitely not the life everyone potentially imagines his as glamorous as it sounds, but with what sacrifices. It was damn sure rewarding and if you were taught anything from the Arrow. Was to enjoy it, when you could. What could he say Roy was a thrilling, fly be the seat of your pants kinda guy. More or less. Thus he didn’t manage; once his head hit the pillow, to open his eyes sometime after 1 pm today. After a healthy helping of his homemade breakfast bowl, he took a short jog, before taking a short detour to his local cross fit gym. Well, calls its his, given he frequently visited. He wasn’t exactly graced with riches, least not like he was when hitched to Ollie, so he made do to get his workout in where ever he could. Of course there was a nice set up in his bunker down in Gotham, but well, that was a longer trip, besides it was always good to throw in a little variety. You never knew what a hero was going to be thrown at next. Plus of course, it was a pretty rocking gym. After working out there with an extra dozen reps than the day before, he finished within about 4 hours. So a good work-out, no less…

With grabbing another quick meal, Roy set with his own personal wheels from the city of Bludhaven and made that extra trip to Gotham. To his, well, the outsider’s bunker in the east. Partially checking in and scoping out what activity might be on the radar for this day or coming night. It was mostly the typical, robberies and small drug trades in the shady corners of town, but no high fatalities that felt needing their attention. Lingered in the bunker for the rest of the day, which wasn’t going to last long. Roy eventually strapped himself up with his gear, red of course. Because any other colour, would just be weird, right? Red was always best, Roy was always best. Hiding his weapons in places that mostly only he would know, unless you really wished to go digging. He probably wouldn’t blame you. Covering his gear, Roy pulled on a red Blackhawks jersey, yes that is right. He is a Ice Hockey fan. The red pants of his suit, just blended in, he didn’t even bother to try and cover them up. Placing the rest of his weapons he was more than likely going to need later, into his trusty backpack. Booby trapped potentially if one even tried, who knows. Roy can be incredibly crafty when he needed to be. Leaving the bunker and jumping back on his wheels. Roy drove a little deeper into the city. It was still early in the night, so there was possibly a little time frame to grab something to eat, chill out… Grab a cold one, well suppose so long it was virgin.

Harper pulled up and arrived at a sports bar. To catch the Ice hockey match set tonight between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Anaheim ducks. He could have caught back in the bunker, but the bar being in the central, meant he was in the middle if anything were to happen in the city. He also had his radio feeds, so he was in the loop and besides the sports bar seemed like a nice setting. Walking into the bar filled with a lot of Ice hockey fans, split a little with the teams jersey, but there was nice group of blackhawk fans. Roy lived in Chicago for a bit, so he felt a little bit at open. As walked over to the bar and took a seat. It was almost like deja vu, given it was so regular, but of course minus the booze. Given that was generally half the reason he used to come, not just the sports. As he waved down the bar tender to hit him up with ginger beer from the tap. Perhaps one day Roy could attempt a real beer again with a level head, but that might take a little while. His head turned to the different screens placed around the bar and the lounger areas. Before focusing on the bigger, more larger screen, as the pre-game started. Given the run down, stats and replays of previous matches. Which Roy had kept mostly up to date with. It kinda sucked that it was alway at night, but that was life right. His was filled with a whole lot of lemons.

[Evangelina Bradley]

As she nears the end of her shift Evangelina finds herself both wishing that it would speed up and dreading the end of her shift. It's been a relatively quiet day in her patrol area - which is supposedly a good thing, since that means that nothing really bad happened - but while some days that seems like a nice break, today it's just made her restless. And the last place that she wants to be while she's restless is home alone. She'd thought about catching the hockey game, but even that doesn't make the prospect of her shift being over any less appealing even though work isn't satisfying today either.

That's when the idea of watching the game at a sports bar popped into her head - now that sounds like a better evening! Watching the game, maybe a drink or two - but not too much, and of course lots of very unhealthy but very delicious food that she doesn't have to prepare or clean up. And then there's the other people at the bar to share in the glory or failure of their chosen team.

And tonight, her team is the Anaheim Ducks. Not because she has any particular connection with California, but she has reason to really hate Chicago - it's a long story - so she's certainly not going to be on their side. But since she's not as much for the Ducks as she is against the Blackhawks she doesn't have any of their merchandise to declare her loyalty - but if she wears enough black, accessorizes with the other colors, and cheers at the right moments then it shouldn't be too difficult for anyone to figure it out.

So once her shift ends she makes a quick stop at her apartment to change out of her uniform, brush her hair, and otherwise get the feel of work away from her. Then she simply throws on a pair of very flattering black jeans, a black v-neck shirt, an orange belt, a white scrunchie for her hair, and brings alone her gold purse - yes, that ought to do it.

When she arrives at the bar she finds the place fairly full, at least around the best of the TVs. But she spots some room at the bar - a bit close to the main pack of Blackhawk fans, but not so close as to be surrounded. Given the location of Gotham it's no surprise that there seems to be more fans for the Blackhawks than the Ducks, but not enough to completely dominate. Taking the open seat, she orders a beer from the bartender but is quick to put most of her attention on the screen - she came too late to catch much of the pre-game, and while she's enough of a fan of hockey to want to see the game she's not so much a fan that she can remember the stats and scores. And while states and previous scores only mean so much, you can get some idea of what you'll see in the upcoming game from them.

[Roy Harper - Arsenal]

There wasn’t a whole lot to miss in the pre-game, show. It was mostly a bunch of dudes, running off scores and flying out predictions. Oh, and a little replay from previous games. Which, some Roy had clearly missed and he had been sure to have kept up well enough by his recording device. Yeah, he very rarely got to really watch a game live, at least in its entirety. Not that he would complain about that, it least gave hime something to do between work and music. Yep, Ice hockey. Blackhawks, to be more pointedly. Oddly it wasn’t his home city, he was from the south, but Chicago was at times like a home. Who really could say no to Chicago pizza if nothing else? Which perhaps was an excuse to see pizza in the sports bar. As seen from the varies plates, some on the bar and others on tables. Of course in midst of chicken wings, which were slightly questionable of where they exactly came from, as Roy barely even attempted at picking one up. Not that he was picky, but he liked his chicken properly cooked. That and well, he had enough drunk moments to know to never receive chicken again in a bar. Dead or otherwise. It was a long story… Or was that a turkey… Hmmm, could have been worse. As Roy’s 2nd beer. That would be ginger beer, showed up. Grabbing the handle for a swig. He was ready for this game to begin, as his eyes almost rolled at yet another interview, but that TV for you. Dragging on, amping you up and couldn’t fast forward live Tv. Plus it was a Ducks interview, that was even less interesting. With the slight sigh and roll of his eyes. Not that he was like completely hating on the Ducks, but he was more of a hawks guy. Shifting his attention away from the Tv. Settling on his drink. The collection of peanuts still in their shells in the bowl in front of him. Whilst gently cruised around the bar filled with hockey fans a like. Hawks. Hawks. Hawks. The red was clear to see. It almost reached to warm his heart. Catching sight of some of the duck fans. Particularly the movement in the seat beside took away from the red. Catching the blonde woman. Noting the black, orange and white.

”Oh, don’t tell me you’re a sitting Duck?"

Roy turned and asked, yeah pun intended. He jested. With a slight cheeky half smile. Hmmm, if this was a different situation it probably land a drink in his face, if not a slap. It probably still could, she was practically a stranger to him, but it was spoken with the spirit of game. Friendly. Rival. Competition. That and Roy usually lets his mouth run away from him. Thats nothing new. As naturally he made eye contact. He could least admit. She made the Duck colours, look good. His hands fiddling with a peanut from the bowl. Cracking it open, before popping the peanut in its mouth. Before slightly shifting the bowl, so it was more between them. Of course, she could very well shun him, but he was always one for sharing. Even if they were on opposing teams. As he very knew. Opposites could attract. Shifting also the bowl of popcorn. Roy very much liked somewhat of a nesting of food, least when watching Ice Hockey. It was one excuse for the varies unhealthy food. Taking some popcorn in his hand, chucking them in his mouth. Buttery. Salty. The best kind. It was only missing ice cream. Roy motioned to dust the salt off his hand against the pants of his leg.

”Roy! Do you hail from Anaheim?"

Offering his name, with an extend of his hand, if she was open. Of course there was always the chance, she’d completely brush him off, but Roy was generally hopeful. He’d like to think, extremely charming. Just not in a prince way, because he’d so give Harry a run for his money, as far as wild goes. Curiously asking if she was from Anaheim. If nothing else, to make conversation, but he was generally curious. Waving a hand at the man behind the bar, for more food. Anything the lady would want, plus corn chips. Yeah, his nest was missing corn chips. Salsa. Cheese dip. Guacamole, homemade from the lady who rand the little Mexican place around the corner. It was damn good Guacamole and Roy rarely liked Guacamole. Cracking more at some of the peanuts, as Roy mindfully notes the beer, the lady has ordered beside him. He was secure enough to not let it tempt him, but it definitely did not go unnoticed, nor most beers. The stench of alcohol was like fire in his nostrils, he was very much past near imagining the taste on his tongue… As his eyes drifted back towards one of the TVs. It was getting closer, as cameras began panning through the ice rink. Logos. The already rowdy crowd at the venue behind the glass. Mascots. Hawk. Duck. It was count down to the action. About time too. Roy was ready to watch some competition. Some violence.

[Evangelina Bradley]

With her eyes fixated on the television, Evangelina doesn't really take much note of fan next to her until he talks to her, and when he does her first reaction is to turn to him with a somewhat playful grin. She can tell that his reaction to her was meant in good humor - or at least mostly good humor - so she responds in kind. "Better a duck than a hawk," she replies, hinting at her loyalty - not so much for the Ducks as it is against the Hawks.

Though she notes that he moves some of his food as if to share, she doesn't make any attempt to reach for it. Not that she's not interested in the food entirely, only that she's not wanting to have some at this exact moment - it's possible that she'd be more interested later. For now she's quite content to sip her beer and leave it at that. Though she does set it down for a moment when he offers his hand and introduces herself. "Evangelina," she replies as she shakes his hand.

Picking her beer up again, she answers his question. "And no, actually. I'm cheering for them because... well, it's more that I'm cheering against Chicago. And that's a long story," she explains, "Short version: I have an ex from there." Which is greatly summarizing the situation - as hinted by the fact that she takes a very large swallow from her drink after saying that much of it, as if trying to drink to forget it.

"How about you? Got a tie to Chicago, or is it just because it's closest?" she asks, though she's guessing that he's much more passionate about his team choice than she is - if only because he actually has a real jersey for the team that he's cheering for, unlike her.

[Deleted]

A sports bar. That would be fun, right? Interesting. Wrong. So very wrong. So horribly wrong. Bars and clubs were not generally Briar’s idea of a good time. She was raised with a certain…world view, and bars tended to spit in the face of it. Sports bars added an extra element of ‘could not care less’ to the equation. But! It was good for research. To observe group dynamics within and without.

Today, an ice hockey game was being played. Briar had no particular stake, but she happened to be wearing the team colors for the Hawks. Not intentionally, but still. She also happened to take a seat next to a boy called Roy and a blonde woman named Evangelina. She knew that those were their names because they happened to be introducing themselves as she was sitting down.

Briar looked up and waved at the bartender. “Could I get some unsweetened tea?” He gave her an odd look, but shrugged and nodded, going to get her beverage. Guess it wasn’t exactly the most normal of game night drinks. It arrived swiftly enough, and she brought it up to her lips to sip at as she looked at the all of the people in red. She looked down at her own shirt. Hm. Well, she blended in at least.

Briar never once looked at any of the TV screens, but kept watching the people with disinterest like a scientist studying a rather uninteresting bacteria culture. Rubbing one her eyes, Briar let out a soft sigh. All of these late nights recently were cutting into her sleep, but she was accustomed to hardship. If necessary, she could go without sleep for quite a prolonged period of time. Not that she would want to if she didn’t have to. But this research was important. If boring.

[Roy Harper - Arsenal]

There was that slight moment. Feeling, his introduction would be burnt, but Roy was never insecure enough to not least try to make conversation. His spirits were greatly lifted and most if not all doubts were gone as the young blonde beside him in arrange of Anaheim colours, turned with a playful smile. You never know who will be friendly or not. She was certainly on the more accommodating side. Perhaps even with humorous side. That was always a nice trait…. Hmmm, but she was a Duck. Roy amused with a loose smile, in the light playful mocking way, because really when you got down to it. Duck’s could be beautiful, apart from a slight higher chance of getting shot at, but perhaps it be to apprehensive to compare her to an actual Duck. That was a little below him.

”Oh, really? Prove it!"

Turned at her reply of loyalty with a playful inviting yet challenging gaze, with the slight raising of his brows and capped his words off with a Daffy Duck impression. Well, thats least what he had attempted in the jetful spirit of the game. Whilst he loved his game as much as the next joe, he wasn’t an obsessed as far as believing in curses and what have you. Mostly he just enjoyed the violence, but friendly competition wasn’t so bad. He really couldn’t say he hated Ducks. Least not this Duck. Roy didn’t flinch too much over her rather lack of interest in the food Roy had collected, he just wasn’t much of a hoarder, which was perhaps a little rich given he had a Bunker underground, but that hardly counted as hoarding. Sure he had draw simply filled with varies knives and that was only one draw… Roy smiled at the mentioning of her name, his smiled slightly amused by it, but he bit his lip. Perhaps it be too much to be digging out an angel and heaven pick up line. With Ducks and Hawks, there was perhaps enough feathers going around, that it maybe a little redundant.

”Evangelina… That is a beautiful name!"

Roy responded simply, truthfully no less, shaking her hand. Not cringing his nose that much at her beer, he was doing well enough from the temptation that clearly flooded the room. It was always a challenge coming to bars, but it seemed to be one he needed. To prove his stamina. So far he was holding… The ginger beer wasn’t so bad, despite the lack of that extra buzz, but he had plenty to keep his mind on track elsewhere. Ice Hockey was one of them. Chicago, he sure did love it… He had to frown slightly as Evangelina mentioned she was more here just to be against the Hawks? Against Chicago? When she mentioned a long story, Roy had to assume it was quite a story to dislike Chicago that much and there it was… Well, in a short version. Brief, but it was certainly enough to faintly paint the picture. His frown settled, though briefly frowned again, knowingly as he noted and saw how Evangelina then took to her beer. Drinking it away? Well, least trying to. Roy knew that feeling.

”Well, he must be one hell of a jerk, to turn you against Chicago… I’m sorry, I know break ups can be rough… I am open to the long version, if you did ever wish to tell it. I don’t know, if it may help."

Roy openly commented and offered relatable sympathy, not all his breaks up had been greatly rough, but he sure had his fair share to understand… Mostly he was feeling his own distaste to Evangelina’s ex, to course such a distaste to Chicago. Right here. Right now, perhaps wasn’t the time, but heck Roy least extended the offer if she did want to discuss it further… Despite yeah he was wanting to watch the game, but Roy in all his faults he wasn’t selfish. He could put it aside, if it would help or not. Perhaps Evangelina needed a better experience from Chicago… Though, briefly Roy was taken by the slight movement from his other side. Another Hawk fan. Yeah, they were getting well represented. Taking a slightly glance from the side, Roy couldn’t exactly say he knew who the fellow Hawk’s fan was, but he noted a little return gaze their way… Taken back as Evangelina asked in return for Roy’s own ties to Chicago…

”Hmmm, yeah you can definitely say I have ties… I lived in Chicago, not extensively, but enough it has generally been good to me. Well, mostly… The weather can leave a lot to be desired at times, particularly the wind, but it doesn’t deter all the greater things. Great sports. Great music. Great food… I mean need I say more than pizza?"

There was a gentle nod as Roy responded and shared his experience… The short version, for sure. There was certainly a long version, but that was need to know kinda thing. Some he didn’t even remember, so it had all been pleasant, his alcohol problem went beyond Chicago… He really could just chime it down to great sports, music and food. Heck even weapons. There was an awesome shooting range, but that seemed a little to personal… Pulling at one of plates of pepperoni pizza, it was close enough in Chicago style. Delicious nonetheless, as Roy picked up a slice and enjoyed it… Though as he pulled at the cheesiness, he couldn’t shake the eyes somewhat watching them beside him, not perhaps just watching them, as watching the room, but it was certainly something enough to cause a little curiosity. Who was this woman? Just as he glimpsed back to the screen, did the teams start coming out.

”Go team… I’m sorry… Do I know you?"

Putting down his slice of pizza. Roy picked up his pint of ginger beer and motioned to offer to cling it against the unknown woman wight he cup of tea. As it seemed they least shared the same team in common… Though he asked kindly if he was meant to know her. It was rare he really forgot, but hell he had enough black outs, he couldn’t exactly be to sure, despite how confident he wished to be on that one.

[Evangelina Bradley]

There's the slightest hint of surprise around Evangelina's features when he turns her statement into a challenge, issued in that voice, but she's quick to laugh at it. "Okay. Tell me how and I will, hawk boy. Any time, any place," she says back. Not that she'd not back out of doing anything totally insane, but if he takes her up on that instead of just being amused by response she suspects that he'll not go to that extreme.

The compliment of her name gets a smile, but it's not like she has much of an ego about her name. "It's the one I was born with," she says with a shrug, though of course she'd rather have perfect strangers like her name rather than hate it.

When he offers her some empathy about the breakup, she can't help but smile slightly as he guesses about how bad the breakup was based on her dislike of Chicago. She actually seems to entertain the idea of giving him the long version for a moment before she says, "Nah, that's okay. It was pretty ugly, but it was over a year ago. I'll admit that I'm still a little bitter, but I probably just need to find someone to help me forget the ex - know what I mean?" After all, there's nothing like a new romance to make an old one seem totally irrelevant.

She sets her beer back down and simply listens as he talks about his own feelings about Chicago - which are obviously quite a bit deeper than her. While hers are totally superficial and based upon one person, his actually has anything to do with the city itself. Though she's quick to break in when he mentions the pizza. "Wait, I have to stop you right there. Pizza? Gotham pizza is better than Chicago pizza, hands down. Trust me on this - I'm a cop. I know these things," she says very seriously, as if her job makes her the ultimate authority on the subject.

It's only then, and because Roy does it first, that she notices the woman who has decided to sit near them. When she does, her gaze lingers for a moment - hmm, now that she's actually paying attention, the other woman looks oddly out of place. The wrong kind. of drink the wrong sort of mannerisms to be showing in a gathering of this kind. Not that it's enough to make her suspicious, but it does cause her to mark the woman as rather strange. But since being strange isn't a crime, she can't say that she cares a whole lot. (In fact, she'd only care so much even if it was a crime.)

[Roy Harper - Arsenal]

There was perhaps a slight smug look on his face from what he had said and how he had said it. He wasn’t so uptight like a bat, that he couldn’t have a sense or humour or even potentially embarrass himself. Somehow he’d always find himself on top or better off. Well, or screwed, but he’s less likely to care. Or if he did, show it. He liked the facade that he was ‘cool’, whatever that meant, which could potentially just hide all the insecurities he actually had. Though one thing he did know, Hawks were cooler. His smirk slightly grew into a somewhat laugh at Evangelina’s response. Though whilst he didn’t show it, he did not like the sound of Hawk boy. A mace was cool, but Roy preferred a much more wide variety of weapons. Not to mention Roy couldn’t ever imagine himself pulling off those ridiculous wings. Then again it was better than ‘Arrowboy’, anyone that even dared call him that, he probably wouldn’t hesitate to shoot you in the foot. Or knee… However Roy easily overlooked ‘Hawk boy’ and quite possibly an opening.

”Well, if you really want to turn this into a battle, then that only means one solution to settle it. Paintball! Say about midday, pick any day. Unless your chicken or in your case a duck!"

Roy in his light hearted way, challenged Evangelina back with paintball. There was a popular range in between Gotham and Bludhaven. Though if not seriously taken, he could just play it off, that he was simply playing along and not setting a date. One he sensually just walked into if he did, yep that was showing Bruce and even Oliver, you didn’t always need to flash the cash. Of course calling a woman a chicken, wasn’t always a good move, but it was only to wheel it back to Duck. They’re sort of the same thing, Roy offered a playful smile and perhaps greatly hinted with confidence. He really wasn’t Roy if he didn’t take a shot. His confidence lightened in his expression as Evangelina spoke responded about her beautiful name. Which still very much gave him images of wings and more importantly feathers

”Suppose its natural then you were born an angel!”

And there Roy succumbed, not that he laid in wait for puns or pick up lines. As Roy lightly played with it, not that it was any less true, but he generally didn’t need pick up lines. Least not the unoriginal ones. More often he’d look for cues, it was a lot easier… Not that he was trying or not. Sometimes his mouth could escape him or he was just in a general goofy mood tonight. He was often inside his bunker or fighting crime. So it was wise for everyone that, Roy occasion got outside to do something else. As he could have easily watched the game in the bunker, but it wasn’t as productive. Let alone it sort of felt dipping into serial killer territory at times, particularly with the only people in the bunker were often wearing masks.

”Thats ok, I get it… A little bitter is putting it lightly, if you dislike an entire city… So finding someone by jumping teams, is what you mean? Getting drunk sure never helped me in the long run!”

With genuine understanding as Roy responded to Eva not telling him the longer version, he really was only interested if she wanted to tell him and he understood if she didn’t want to. He had his fair share of ugly relationships. Though he did joke lightly at her putting putting her bitter lightly, when she clearly didn’t like Chicago, which Roy was still up to punching who ever this fool was who did this to her. Jokingly putting himself in the assumption of the ‘someone new’. Finding someone new, was easy said than done, but perhaps that was better than any case where Roy had simply gotten drunk. To which he had enlightened, but he was past it. Mostly. As he sipped his ginger beer and was still a few months sober. Sure there was possibilities he could be triggered again. He was still quite young, despite experiencing far more than most at his age. Even perhaps varies pizzas across the country. He had travelled quite a lot, sure it had slightly more perks when he was under Ollie’s wing, quite literally meaning his jet. He could quite easily get pizza from better places… As Roy bites more into the current pizza he has. It was more the thin kind, cut into squares. Gotham never could quite do a proper deep dish… Hmmm no… As Eva’s response certainly perks Roy up again.

”Chicago pizza and pizza are like two different things. Gotham pizzas aren’t bad, I’ll give you that, but I’ve yet to find anywhere here that does a proper deep dish… Oh, woah. A cop! In that case I surrender, I bet you’ve arrested your fair share of bad pizzerias to know the good… My flatmate is a cop, can’t say he knows good pizza!"

Roy said in defence of pizzas, in the general playful sense, somewhat serious, but not enough that he may have issues. Though having a general love for pizza, particularly good pizza was very much true. To the point of bringing up pizza made him want to eat pizza, and naturally realising he still had pizza in his hand. Still delicious even if it was from Gotham and one may question where some of the produce came from, but sometimes it was best not to wonder… Roy was half in another bite as he reacted to finding out she was a cop. Despite his playful demeanour, he hadn’t expected her to be a cop, suppose the black and yellow were hard to look past. Though it honestly wasn’t too surprising and Roy didn’t overly dislike cops. Despite he had been pulled over a time or many. He had put his hands up in surrender, whilst balancing what was left of his slice of pizza in his mouth. Before reclaiming it with a hand. A sip of his drink, before he referenced Grayson. Perhaps that was somewhat of a lie. Perhaps Roy was still a little bitter himself at the prank Grayson pulled on him involving pizza. Not that Roy didn’t deserve it or that he didn’t get Dick back. It was a mean prank cycle among friends!

[Evangelina Bradley]

Though Roy may be mostly joking around, he's bumped into one of the last women in Gotham to back down from a challenge - and that he chooses paintball only sweetens the deal. If she knew who she was dealing with then she'd probably not be quite so brazen, but since she's a much better shot than 99% of the young men in Gotham, she's more than confident enough to take the challenge seriously. "I have a day off on Tuesday if you're not afraid to get owned by a woman," she responds immediately, though she's just as fast to add, "And for the record, it wouldn't be a date. It would just be me teaching you a lesson." Having laid out those details, she watches him closely for signs that he might change his mind. After all, he sounded like he might be joking, and he might decide to back off when he sees her confidence and hears her declare the platonic nature of the event.

The way he compliments her name gets a sight roll of her eyes - she's heard similar statements about her name before. "I'm far from angelic, trust me," she comments. In fact, some would insist that she's positively devilish based on her hobbies alone - not that she believes in or cares about such religious sentiments.

As he expresses his sympathies about her breakup, she nods but doesn't look very bothered at all to talk about it. She's long past the stage of needing a shoulder to cry on, and if she weren't she has better options than a random stranger. Still, it's almost universal: everyone knows how bad a breakup can be. In fact, she shows far more emotion when he talks about teams - first frowning and then her eye raises questioningly. "What do you mean by 'jumping team's?" she asks, as it's not at all clear from the context. And there is more than one way she could take that which would make her want to punch him in the face, but she doesn't want to do something like that unless he deserves it. (But if he deserves it then she really wants to do it.) Perhaps the confusion is because it's a sports analogy often used to mean other things, but they're actually around sports things right now and that makes it less clear.

Though when he vaguely mentions her beer, Evangelina glances at her drink, "Oh, this? This is just a cure to a long, hard day. I don't drink until I'm drunk very often - just one, sometimes two, once in awhile, you know? I'd be in a pretty sorry state if my breakup had anything to do with how much I was drinking this far out." Of course, she never said that she doesn't get drunk - it just doesn't happen very often. She's very responsible about it and makes sure, for example, that she's not going to be under the influence or nursing a hangover while she's at work. But on days when she knows that she can get away with it and something makes her want to drink more? Well, she's a grown adult who likes to live it up sometimes. It counts as recreational for her, not self-medication.

Making somewhat of a face as he talks about how wonderful Chicago-style pizza is, she's quick to shake her head. No, her opinion on this is not an extension of her admittedly irrational dislike of Chicago, but her genuine love of Gotham's pizza. "Deep dish? No, no, no! Thin crust is where it's at! Pieces so big and flat you can fold it in half like a sandwich..." she describes, lifting her hands to indicate the size that she's talking about, "And they always put so much sauce on those things when pizza is supposed to be all about the cheese!" Shaking her head, she adds, "You're right, they're like two different things. But like I said, trust me on this one. If your roommate doesn't know his pizza then he must still be a rookie." She smirks a little, guessing that she will be right about that last part. But not actually because of the comment about pizza, but because she judges Roy to be quite young, and generally speaking roommates tend to be of similar age. "But what's his name - maybe I know him?" she asks curiously. There's a lot of cops in Gotham, so many that they don't all know each other, but still it's a question worth asking.

[Roy Harper - Arsenal]

Joking or being serious. Sometimes it was just one in the same for Roy, he could easily balance in between and for one of the few times he’d been in a bar sober. Paint ball, had been completely his idea. He could be quite competitive, but he generally had a line. That line was called the fun line. Somewhat differing from Dick’s worried line, but both crossed about the same amount. Roy hadn’t entirely been confident that Eva would take him up on his challenge. He isn’t also surprised, but delighted. As seen with the amused expression upon his lips as Eva puts her own spice in her words. If there was ever a man that didn’t need to be reminded how strong a woman could be, it was, Roy. If asked he wouldn’t completely lie to the many times a woman has kicked his ass, it was probably deserved.

”Tuesday it is… Afraid? Please, you say that like its a bad thing… Well, I wasn’t even gonna say date… Let me guess, a lesson on cheap shots? By all means bring back up, you’re gonna need it!"

There was little sway in his voice as he confirmed it, so far as he knew he would be clear that time on tuesday. His voice played humorously and confidently, but not so over it would give off the vibe he knew weapons overly well. Which, he certainly did, but he also had no intentions of actually hurting Eva. He’d play it down, but somehow he imagine he wouldn’t need too. As Roy joked light heartedly and with a little competitive edge. Friendly nonetheless, even as much so that he offered her to bring a squad of friends if she need to or if she needed to be sure it wasn’t a date… Sure, Roy had many ways to turn anything into a date… Sometimes, a smile was that added touch, but Eva was far from being smitten by just that. Especially when she pointedly said she wasn’t angelic… Trust! Roy couldn’t help but smirk at her own hint of devilish charm. Suppose she was more trusting than Trigon.

”Trust? I don’t know, are you suggesting you have horns to go with those wings?"

Roy was certainly confident his eye sight was accurate, being what he was kinda went hand in hand with that. His pick up lines, was certainly debatable, but he was Roy. He wasn’t as good with keeping everything to himself. Humour was expected, but despite what usually could come out of his mouth. It generally was coming from a harmless place. Perhaps a dumb place. Who could really know? Sipping a little more at his ginger beer and feeling far from tipsy. Maybe a little salty from the varies food he had wrangled up before him. It certainly wasn’t the healthiest, but one had to assume there was what. One or two or more veggies in this pizza. With his work ethic, he’d be burning this off easily. Yep, burn them into big strong muscles. Somehow, he could quite reach Superman level muscles, but then he didn’t really want to. Unlike Superman, Roy was a real man… Who could potentially be a jerk or sounds like a jerk? As Eva seemingly caught on what Roy had said, though whilst she asked after openly. Roy could feel within the tone of what she had assumed he had meant. Perhaps part of him had without really much thought, that it seemed humorous until someone actually said it back to him, he couldn’t really use ADHD as really as an excuse… Then in honesty he really hadn’t meant how it had sounded or least he was sure he hadn’t.

”I didn’t mean… I just meant finding someone on the opposing team, to help forget the jerk. Unless you were looking for a sweet Anaheim boy?"

With a little retracting, Roy hoped it came across less creepy. As Roy was simply meaning to be open to another Blackhawk to forget the bad one. Even if it was talking. Not exactly meaning himself. Maybe that would explain the whole jumping team thing, by association. Unless she had interest in a boy from Anaheim, somehow Roy couldn’t imagine there be as many in Gotham and sweet. Please, not that Roy was playing at the gun stereotype, after all he was definitely guy that played with guns. Weapons… Hmmm, suppose so did a cop. Who knew. Roy couldn’t really see any potentials even if he glanced at any Anaheim colours, perhaps it was partially being competitive. With the game now starting on the screen, sure helped.

”Oh, no… I wasn’t judging or suggesting you were, I’m sorry… Thats just what I used to do, one of the reasons anyway. I’m an alcoholic, well, sober now for a few months… I doubt you’d have my problems.”

Not to wind up in yet another mess Roy hadn’t wish to have have suggested, Roy explained or at least attempted to explain why he had said what he had said about being drunk. It wasn’t so much observing why she was drink, than so much that he was just observing how and why he used to. Of course naturally being in a bar was kind of a whirlpool of reminds, which probably begs why he’d be in here, but call it will. He wanted to watch the game. Be somewhere social. Roy didn’t want to suggest Eva had that problem, Roy couldn’t know just from meeting her and he really wasn’t one to judge what another one did. Nor did he have an opinion that everyone shouldn’t drink just because he had decided to stop. He needed to, there was a slight difference. As Roy held the glass he had steady in front of him and sipped his non-alcoholic beverage. With no buzz in sight… He put it down in front of him as Eva then debated pizza further. Not just pizza in general, no. Gotham pizza. Roy had heard it all before, in several cities no less. People debating the city with the perfect pizza. Everyone had one, right? Although as Roy listened, she was very convincing. Mostly it was just making him want to eat more pizza.

”Mmmm, I’ll say you’re not wrong… Gotham is all about the cheese… Oh, trust me. This is what I keep reminding him…”

Roy respond not quite to the point of showing drool, but he did to a point agree. It certainly was hard to disagree to all of he points. Sandwich. Cheese. It didn’t need so much words to respond as Roy picked up a slice at one of the plate of pizza, perhaps this was more Gotham style. As Roy bit into it and pulled at some of the cheese. Sure there was a joke in there, but in all the good, Roy had certainly seen a lot of crappy sides to this city. Roy certainly smirked in relation to Dick being a rookie cop, though mostly Roy just focused on rookie. Yeah, a friendly jab. It probably wasn’t an entire lie depending on what, given Dick was very much deep in his hero work. After all he had the hero hair to match. All work and no game. Though Roy joked, it wasn’t out of not caring. Deep down somewhere, there was almost love. Hmmm, ok maybe a little more than almost, but Roy wasn’t going to spill it out often.

”Richard Grayson, though most just call him Dick. He’s stationed in Bludhaven."

Not one to leave another hanging, Roy responded it was still odd whenever he called Dick Richard. Somehow in one way it was very fitting, it had a sort of old man feel to it and Dick could be overly serious. He definitely didn’t look old, well apart from those really sad times when Dick didn’t shave or looked kinda like a bum. Oh, how Roy had seen this man in so many flattering and unflattering lights. He was definitely better off as Dick, Roy could hardly imagining him any other way. Roy looked briefly to the screen whilst his attention was mostly upon Eva. Whilst taking more enjoyment in his feast. More prominently the pizza.

[Evangelina Bradley]

When he says she can bring back up, Evangelina's mind automatically go to her coworkers, past and present - her fellow officers. Of any of the people she knows who would be good at paintball, it would be them. However, that's only because they have some experience actually handling guns. But there's more to paintball than that - the game is more like a military operation than a police one. And that greatly reduces her list of possibilities - there's more than one officer she knows who is a great shot but would be struggling for breath after several minutes of running around. Most of the others she knows would be a bit awkward to invite - they'd mistake the occasion for a date even if she explicitly told them it wasn't one. What would really help is if she knew more of the folks on the squad team, but the GCPD is a large entity and she being a patrol officer herself, she only bumps into them so often.

So she's fairly quick to say, "Backup? Oh, no! I don't need any help taking down a punk like you." Might as well turn telling him she doesn't have anyone to bring into an extra opportunity to boast, after all. She also smirks as he asks her about having horns. "I left my pitchfork back in my car," she states matter-of-factly, but her expression is teasing - as is her smile afterward.

But though his other words might be potentially offensive, she leans toward suspecting that he didn't mean it that way, so her manner is patient as she waits for him to explain himself. As it turns out, upon further explanation she still isn't completely sure what he meant - but she can confirm that he didn't mean it the way that would have offended her, and also that he has completely the wrong idea about what she might have been offended about in the first place. But she decides not to attempt to clear up all the confusion - the important thing is that he hadn't meant what she'd been concerned that he'd meant, and that's all that matters. "Well, favorite sports teams are not something I consider to be a high priority in my romantic partners," she comments, as in spite of her confusion that seems like an appropriate response, and may clarify things for him a little, if not her.

When he's next apologizing for his comment on her drink, she smiles a little and says, "Ah, don't worry about it - I get it." If he's a recovering alcoholic, no wonder he has alcohol on the brain in this environment. But she's not going to feel guilty about enjoying the rest of her beer right in front of him - she came here for an enjoyable evening, and part of it is a beer, and if he has a problem with it then he shouldn't have come to a sports bar. There are other places to enjoy the game if he wished to avoid alcohol, after all. Fortunately for him, she's not too quick to judge someone for making several false steps in a row - for all she knows he's having an off night, and he's allowed to have off nights.

With the game now going her eyes are drawn to the screen, though that does little to her ability to have a conversation - it mostly just means that she's looking at Roy less. Eyes still on the screen as both teams try to catch each other off guard with an early lead while preventing their opponents from doing that very thing themselves, she laughs at the obviously jovial relationship he has with his roommate. Though when he mentions a name, she frowns, about to say that she's not heard of him, but when she gives herself a moment she says, "No, wait, yeah - Officer Grayson! He joined the force in Blüdhaven just before I transferred. Not that I really know him, but I remember the name." She's pretty good with names, after all - it comes handy in her line of work.