Dinner With Friends

[swiftjustice.livejournal.com]

Jay Garrick, dressed in an old but still somewhat fashionable suit, makes his way into one of Gotham's swankier restaurants. Soft background muzak plays in the background, and many people are dressed to the nines - tuxes and evening gowns.

The meal promised to be expensive, but the conversation would be worth it. He signals the maitre'd.

"Reservation, under the name of Garrick. I'm not sure how many will be coming.."

He slips the fellow a twenty dollar bill in exchange for the assurance that that won't be a problem, and is lead inside..

Comments

[lanterns-light.livejournal.com]

Not far behind Jay is Alan, who approaches his longtime friend and teammate with a growing smile. "I have to applaud your taste in eateries. Let's hope that my American Express card will support the weight of the bill." Winking, he proffers his hand.

[swiftjustice.livejournal.com]

Jay chuckles, shaking Alan's hand firmly.

"If you're thinking of taking the check for the whole table - well, I'm too old to put up much of an argument about that."

He grins.

"I'm not sure who else will be coming along.."

[lanterns-light.livejournal.com]

"Ah, don't worry about it, Jay. The Scott Telecommunications stock is still strong." He gestures toward the chair Jay had taken earlier and waits for his friend to sit, glancing around. "Nice secluded space you got for us, though. Well done, old friend."

[swiftjustice.livejournal.com]

Jay takes a seat, nodding.

"I asked for something a little out of the way - not all of us have public identities, and we needn't take any unnecessary chances."

He shakes his head.

"I hear Green Arrow is having some trouble along those lines."

[lanterns-light.livejournal.com]

Alan winces. "Really? How did that happen? He's always been fairly cautious despite the, ah, visible proof to the contrary." He makes as if to stroke an invisible beard as a case in point.

[swiftjustice.livejournal.com]

"One of his foes got a blood sample. With the way records are digitized these days - " he shrugs, not finishing the sentence.

"Things were simpler back in our time. DNA is a double-edged sword when it comes to protecting a secret identity."

[lanterns-light.livejournal.com]

"That's monstrous, Jay, monstrous. What is he going to do about it?"

[http://users.livejournal.com/_black_canary_/]

There's a stirring in the crowd near the door. Moments later, a petite blonde makes her way to the Garrick party, wearing a black evening gown and a radiant smile.

[swiftjustice.livejournal.com]

Jay smiles, standing as Dinah arrives, as manners dictate.

"There's our mascot. It wouldn't be a party without you, Junior."

Without Ted here, someone has to pick up the slack.

[lanterns-light.livejournal.com]

"Now, now, no hogging the beauty in the room, old timer," Alan chastises with a little laugh, likewise rising and holding his hands out to the newly arrived lady. "How are you?"

[http://users.livejournal.com/_black_canary_/]

Affectionately she kisses Jay Garrick's cheek, then turns to give the same greeting to her Uncle Alan. "No longer a mascot," she protests in mock indignation.

[swiftjustice.livejournal.com]

"True enough. How's life treating you? Keeping busy with Oracle and Huntress?"

He pulls out a chair for Dinah, and smiles.

[lanterns-light.livejournal.com]

Alan waits for Dinah to be seated before he retakes his seat. "Once a mascot, always a mascot," he states sternly, with a wink to Jay. "Ask Wally how he feels around the Garricks sometime."

[jla-extras.livejournal.com]

A tall slender woman approaches the table, blond hair brushed back into a simple knot at her neck, dressed in a simple sleeveless blue shift dress.

"Well, well, isn't this a handsome group we've got here."

[swiftjustice.livejournal.com]

Jay stands again, smiling as he moves to give Libby a hug.

"Pleased you could make it here, Madam Chairwoman."

He winks, teasing her with her old All-Star title.

[lanterns-light.livejournal.com]

"Ah, the Belle of the JSA," Alan says cheerfully, waiting for his turn to embrace the newly arrived Libby. "What a pleasure." He holds a chair for her, saying in the process to Dinah, "Pieter Cross is as good a man as can be found. He'll realize soon enough that his reputation can't take a dusting from some ridiculous shenanigans like that."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_black_canary_/]

"He'd love to hear that from you, Uncle Alan," Dinah says as she waves at Libby. "Hello!"

[jla-extras.livejournal.com]

Taking the chair offered, Libby smiles up at Alan and reaches across the table to grasp Dinah's hand.

"Dinah, it is always a pleasure to see you. And Mister Garrick, no throwing around those old titles here."

But he gets a wink back.

[swiftjustice.livejournal.com]

"I'm hopeful that Rex might make it out, assuming Wendi lets him anywhere near us for fear he might decide to hop back into costume. It's nice to get some of the old-timers together once in a while.."

He nods, following on what Alan is talking about.

"And I agree. Pieter has nothing to worry about."

[midnite-md.livejournal.com]

In a bit of a hurry comes Dr. Pieter Cross, trying to ignore his cross to bear for the moment. He takes a moment to stop, breathe and regain his composure, as he's not a man prone to tardiness. That said, punctuality is often a luxury in this line of work.

Finally, he strides to the table of friends and loved ones.

"Sorry I'm late," he offers, sheepishly.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_black_canary_/]

"You made it!" Dinah rises to her feet to offer Pieter a kiss. "I didn't think you'd--"

[midnite-md.livejournal.com]

Pieter accepts it gratefully.

"Wouldn't miss it."

[swiftjustice.livejournal.com]

Jay chuckles. "Pieter, hello. Nice of you to join us."

The guest list had been the old-timers, really, but if Dinah wanted to invite Pieter along to hear old war stories, Jay had no objections.

"How're you holding up?"

[midnite-md.livejournal.com]

There's also the fact that Dinah knows that Pieter has some things he needs to discuss with the old guard as well.

"I've been better, I must admit, but hopefully I can get back into the swing of things shortly," he says, pulling up a chair next to Dinah.

"Don't worry, though - I wouldn't dream of getting in the way of reminisces," he grins.

[jla-extras.livejournal.com]

"It is good to see you, Dr. Cross." Libby smiles up at him. "I hope that we won't end up boring you with all of our talk of the old guard."