( There’s the sound of a door opening and a soft, sort of surprised sound. After a moment, Steve speaks, his voice a little uneasy. Clearly he’s out of his element. Still, he’s speaking loud enough that he’s obviously talking to someone outside the room. )Hello? Raven? I know you said to just come in but...
( a pause ) Wow...this place is...just...wow. You were kinda underselling it when you said it was just a small place with a few rooms...
( another pause, this one slightly awkward ) This is the right place, right? I’d hate to think I just walked into the wrong house.
(There's a quiet snort of amusement before Raven speaks up, her footsteps sounding over his PDA a few seconds before she actually appears in the room.)You don't know
how tempted I was to pretend to be some old lady who was ticked you were walking into her house just now.
(a pause; clearly she's grinning) Fortunately for you, I decided to be nice just this once.
(There's another pause.)And yes. I'll freely admit I was underselling the place a bit. But honestly. If you've seen one mansion, blah blah blah. You know how it goes.
(a pause) Or maybe you don't. I keep forgetting you're even more time displaced than I am, in a lot of ways. Huh. Not used to someone having it worse than me. That's going to take some getting used to.
(Another pause, this time she draws in a big breath before continuing.)Anyway. So. Welcome and all that fun stuff. I'm Raven. Hi there.
( Steve’s quiet for a long moment, just taking in everything she’s said. When he finally speaks, he sounds more at ease. )Well...I have to say, I’m really glad you decided against doing that. I’m not exactly sure how I’d have reacted to that. So...it’s good that you were nice. Not...that I thought you wouldn’t be.
( an amused chuckle )Can’t really say I know how it goes. Mansions are more Tony’s thing. Don’t really have ‘em in Brooklyn. It’s nice though...I guess...if you like big houses with lots of rooms and stuff.
( a pause ) Sorry. Can you tell I’m a little out of my element here?
( another pause, then very earnestly )It’s nice to meet you, Raven. In person, that is. I’m Steve.
(Raven laughs slightly.)Yeah, I gathered you were Steve. What with you showing up, asking for me by name, and being
(a pause) actually, 'built' really isn't doing you justice. Because really. You are definitely more than built. You're about up there with one of those carved statues of a perfect physique that I had to study when I was forced to take art class in boarding school.
(another pause)Seriously. Did you know you're about a twenty-five million on a scale of one to ten of physical hotness? Even
I can't swear I could make abs that look like yours and that is definitely saying something.
( It’s quiet for a long moment. Steve tries to say something, but mostly just stammers, then clears his throat and tries again. )I...um...thank you, ma’am. I’m not all that sure I agree with your opinion, but it’s nice of you to say that...even if I’m pretty sure you’re exaggerating. A lot. But I wouldn’t try looking like me if I were you. I mean...you’re really pretty just the way you are.
(Raven's tone is no small amount of amused as she responds.)First of all, it's Raven. Not ma'am. And I'm not exaggerating. You're really very pretty, for a guy.
(a pause)And secondly, thanks, for the comment about me. Although...
(another pause) This isn't actually the way I am. This is just the way I commonly choose to look.
(There's yet another pause, then the telltale sound of Raven shifting physical forms.)This is how I naturally look.
(For all of the bravado in her tone, there's still a touch of wariness despite her attempt to sound casual.) Not exactly as pretty as the blonde hair, blue eyed look, I know. But still me, just the same.
( Steve sounds slightly less flustered, but not by much. )All right. Raven. I’ll keep that in mind. I’m still not sure I agree on the pretty thing, but I guess we can agree to disagree on that.
( There’s a pause when Raven shifts into her natural form. When Steve does speak, he sounds absolutely sincere. )You’re very patriotic. And I can’t imagine a single reason why you wouldn’t want to look like that all the time. I think it’s pretty swell. Whoever got you thinking you weren’t pretty must’ve been a real idiot.
(Raven is silent for a long moment. When she speaks, she's clearly smiling.)Okay. You, I like. You can stay. In fact, I vote we keep you. And as my vote is the one that counts,
(a pause) and Steph's too, since she counts but will still vote my way as well anyway because she's awesome like that, you're staying. Maybe not permanently, of course, because I'm sure you have a life and a roommate and
(a pause) and
now I'm gushing. The point is, good answer. Let's find you some Jello to try.
(another pause)Oh! And I made star-shaped red, white, and blue Jello for you. I figured it was fitting. But there's lots of others you can try too.
(yet another pause) In fact, I insist you try them all. Mostly because I'm pretty sure my brother will have a stroke if he sees how much Jello I made. And am I talking a lot? Because I do that, sometimes. I'll stop talking now. This way to the kitchen!
(another pause, this time for a half of a second or so)And you really are pretty for a man, Steve. You should just accept that and move on because I'm not dropping it until you agree with me. I'm a little stubborn that way.
( Steve gets flustered again, stumbling over his words as he tries to respond. )Stay? I...uh...I mean that’s nice of you, but I do have a place of my own, and I’m pretty sure it’d be rude to just leave without saying anything...not to mention I’m not sure I ought to go moving somewhere new and...
( a pause ) Let’s just start with Jello and work up to you kidnapping me and keeping me locked up here so I can compliment you.
( a pause then a laugh )That actually sounds pretty good. I guess if it’ll keep you out of trouble with your brother, I can help get rid of the Jello. From what you’ve told me, it sounds pretty good. And, anyway, my metabolism is kind of crazy.
( sounding kind of embarrassed ) I’m actually kind of starving right now.
( another short pause )Well...thank you.
( a brief pause ) Oh...hey. Would you mind if I...um...drew you some time?
( another pause ) I just mean...I like drawing. And you look so unique...you don’t have to say yes. I just...I thought it could be nice.
(Raven pauses for a moment, as though considering his question. Her tone is a bit dry when she replies.)You know, that’s the second time in fairly recent memory for me that a guy has asked me for something that’s definitely not ordinary. Though I’m guessing that drawing me won’t involve needles? At least, I hope not. Otherwise, your idea of drawing and my idea of drawing are a whole lot different.
(a pause; her tone turns slightly teasing) That’s a yes, by the way. I don’t mind if you draw me sometime. I’m actually a little flattered.
(another pause) And also relieved that you have an appetite because seriously. Half the fridge is stocked with Jello right now and I kinda want to avoid a lecture on wasting my free time making tasty, jiggly desserts if I can help it.
(There’s the sound of a door opening.)And here’s the kitchen. Which is
(a pause) surprisingly empty, for once. I swear, all the rooms in this house and most of us seem to spend our free time in here. There’s probably something to be said about that.
(a cabinet door swings open)Oh! Right. Go ahead and have a seat wherever. Personally I prefer the counter but that’s mostly because it makes this little vein stick out on the side of my brother’s head whenever I do it. But yeah. Have a seat and I’ll grab round one of the second largest Jello feast in the school’s history.
( another laugh, this one slightly startled. )No. No. Definitely no needles. Just some charcoal. Maybe some pastels. It seems a shame to draw you in black and white when your colors are so vivid.
( a pause, then shyly ) I missed it...during the war. I know I'm a soldier...but I was studying art, before the war. Life just...kind of got in the way. A lot of things got in the way. And now it's seventy years later and...I don't know. It would be nice to have something familiar. That doesn't change.
( a pause as he listens to her talking about the kitchen and Jello )I don't think me sitting on the counter would be a good idea.
( another pause ) Wait...that's the
second largest Jello feast?
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