Jitters Greene: Family is the ones you meet on buses

<PapaGreene>: It is another day at the city of *coughcough*, home of the S-Men. Jitters has gone out for a few errands, and due to an incident that didn't kill her she has some trouble flying. Needing to get the supplies before 5 hours pass, she decides to go into the city on -gasp- foot. Perhaps going on a bus.
Jitterbug grumbles to herself
<Jitterbug>: buses...Why did it have to be buses...
Jitterbug hefts up her bag, and waits at the bus stop
Jitterbug sits down, and rest the bags
<PapaGreene>: It is a cold winter's day, snow piling up from the sky, but the bustle of the city never stops. The bus stop thankfully has some sort of cover, so she can sit on a bench without getting snowed on. A few other people wait for the bus, noticeably not sitting on the same bench as jitters as they wait.
Jitterbug looks at the other people, with a grumpy look on her face
Jitterbug looks at the looks on the peoples faces
<PapaGreene>: The people avoid her gaze, some of them don't notice her while others don't seem to take kindly to mutant types. Eventually the bus comes in, a large bus fitting many people and plastered with ads on the side for new movies and sports drinks and such. People begin heading on.
Jitterbug waits for everyone to get on first, and then heads in, paying her fare
<PapaGreene>: She gets a few worried stares as she comes on the bus, but most are silent. Luckily there's at least one open seat.
Jitterbug squeezes down onto the seat
Jitterbug puts her bag under her feet
<PapaGreene>: The bus continues on to the next stop. It opens up and a few businessmen enter in. They look the usual types, a mix of elderly and young ones, one of them noticeably portly while another... stands out. He doesn't seem to be with the others, and has a strange familiarity to him.
Jitterbug tries to see if she notices the smell of the man
<PapaGreene>: He's a tall man, rather thick and strong looking. He's in his 60's, his hair graying yet having yet to recede. Plastered on his face seems to be an expression of disgruntlement mixed with disappointment at some unknown target. You cannot see his eyes very well from this distance.
<PapaGreene>: His smell is that of warm cinnamon with a slight cheese to it. You know this smell
Jitterbug tries to remember that smell
<Jitterbug>: Cinnamon.....
Jitterbug pieces it together
<Jitterbug>: ...
<Jitterbug>: No way
<PapaGreene>: He looks over if only for a second. He has a very thick mustache, remaining its black color along with his eyebrows even in his age. His eyes are unmistakably green.
<Jitterbug>: No way!
<PapaGreene>: He looks back out the window, he seems bored
<Jitterbug>: Um, excuse me?
Jitterbug gets up
<Jitterbug>: do you want a seat?
<PapaGreene>: The man looks over, raising an eyebrow. His first expression is that of strange contempt, seeing your obviously mutant features. His common courtesy overshadows that, though, as he walks over to take the seat. "Yes, thank you" he says, his voice is familiar if only in a much deeper tone with a gravely filter on it.
<Jitterbug>: No problemo
<Jitterbug>: Oh, sorry, mind if I just grab my bags?
Jitterbug motions to under his feet?
<PapaGreene>: The man sits down, resuming his nonspecific zoning out as, deep in thought. "Oh, sure" he moves out of the way for her to get her bags
Jitterbug leans down, and takes another whiff, smelling for sawdust, as she grabs her bags
<PapaGreene>: There is a definite sawdusty smell
Jitterbug nods
Jitterbug gets back up
<Jitterbug>: Umm, excuse, I know this may sound a bit strange sir, but...do I know you?
<PapaGreene>: "No." he says rather bluntly
<Jitterbug>: Do you have a son....named john?
<Jitterbug>: wait, does he know the fate of his son?]
<PapaGreene>: The man raises his eyebrow, a look of mystery. "I did, hell if I know where he is now. You met him?"
<PapaGreene>: [the kid ran off and never saw him again]
<Jitterbug>: I know of him. Are you...related to him by any chance? You look a little a like
<PapaGreene>: "I just said he's my son what more do you want?"
<PapaGreene>: "If we're talking about the same kid"
<Jitterbug>: John Greene?
<PapaGreene>: "Yeah. Must be a hell of a coincidence if it isn't"
<Jitterbug>: Hmmm
<PapaGreene>: "Why are you so nosey, eh?"
<Jitterbug>: just curious
<Jitterbug>: He mentioned something about a brother, I think
<Jitterbug>: that true?
<PapaGreene>: "Again, yeah. I doubt he'd have even remembered him after leaving."
<Jitterbug>: Did you know much about the brother?
<Jitterbug>: John seemed to have liked him
<PapaGreene>: "Of course he did, he didn't see the lazy bum growing up, he up and left when he was a babe." he has some resentment in his voice
<Jitterbug>: Oh, is that so?
<PapaGreene>: "Damn kid didn't know how good he had it, he thought that I had to like him as part of my goddamn duty. I had to raise him by myself, provide for him, keep him fed and put a roof over his head."
<PapaGreene>: "Ungrateful and disrespectful, on top of being a fool. Glad I kicked him out when he got old enough, my duty ended when he became a man, so he had to go out and goddamn be one. I don't have to see his mug anymore. I did my job"
<Jitterbug>: You sure that's the best way to raise a kid?
<PapaGreene>: "World ain't a nice place, and people don't do things cause they like them. They do things cause they owe them. I get payed because my boss owes me, not because he likes me"
<PapaGreene>: "I owed the kid a raising, I gave him one. Ain't had to like him"
<PapaGreene>: "I gave him more than anybody else can, to hell with owing him anymore. Kid got his life and learned how to stand and talk."
<Jitterbug>: Then...why have him in the first place?
<PapaGreene>: The man has already missed his stop, distracted. "I wasn't always as wise. Back when his mom was around, I was a blind idiot who believed all the loving crap. Kid goes into the world, she leaves it, and I realize what life is really like."
<PapaGreene>: "I got two kids with no mother and one of them responsible for it"
<Jitterbug>: Responsible?
<PapaGreene>: "She died when he was coming out" he's sounding aggravated as he speaks
<PapaGreene>: "There's nothing fair about that. Nothing nice and loving."
<PapaGreene>: "And I coulda left them with some foster parents, but I owed em. I owed them what me and her were meant to provide together"
<PapaGreene>: "Maybe not the best job, and they didn't like me for it, but to hell with likability"
<Jitterbug>: Well, I don't mean to butt in
<Jitterbug>: But maybe blaming a kid for the death of their parent, isn't the best way to raise them
<PapaGreene>: "You weren't there. The hell am I even telling you all this for?"
<PapaGreene>: "You knew John? So what? Kid owed Rob a big brother and he skipped out. He's dead to me"
<PapaGreene>: The man gets up, rather angry. He seems to be set to get off at this stop, despite not knowing where it is exactly. It also happens to be your stop, not that he knows it
Jitterbug grabs her bags, and heads out after him
<Jitterbug>: Hey, listen!
<PapaGreene>: He turns around "What? I don't remember inviting a cockroach to follow me. Man got his own damn business" he says assured.
<Jitterbug>: Well, how about if I knew a bit more about your business than I let on?
<PapaGreene>: "You're nosy, I wouldn't doubt it" he says with a rather insulting tone. His face has become aggressive, and in doing so opens up memories. You remember Rob during missions, in the middle of combat and keeping you and others safe. Its the same, a very protective as well as assertive glare that cuts into someone with endless contempt.
<PapaGreene>: Suddenly it seems to have a context to it.
<Jitterbug>: Oh...well....what if I said....I knew about your other son?
<PapaGreene>: "How? Where's that lazy ass off to know? He finally get some guts in him worth a damn?"
<Jitterbug>: Well, I think he is doing quite well...
Jitterbug holds up her hand, showing her wedding ring
<Jitterbug>: Dad
<PapaGreene>: "He be-" he stops a second, comprehending whats in front of him. He is utterly perplexed, his mind seems to be racing through possibilities, trying to piece things together.
<PapaGreene>: "What? You some kind of chuckle head, eh? Did your research just to mess with me with a little prank?! I swear to god if one of my employees payed for this he's losing his damn job!"
<PapaGreene>: He doesn't seem to believe at all
<Jitterbug>: What, you don't believe your son can find it in his heart to love a filthy mutant like me?
<PapaGreene>: "I'd have been fucking surprised if he even got a girl, nonetheless some mutie. I swear I got no time for you jokers" he looks insulted, turns to leave
<Jitterbug>: Hey, don;t you walk away from me, I am talking to you!
<PapaGreene>: "You aren't funny stop trying" he starts walking
Jitterbug follows behind him
<Jitterbug>: I married your son, Robert Greene, after you kicked him to the curb, like the ass your are
<Jitterbug>: Your son is a great person, sir. I am glad you are not apart of his life, because you know what?
<Jitterbug>: You don't owe him anything, because you don't deserve to have him. He is twice the man you will ever be!
<PapaGreene>: He turns back with a death glare on his face, his bushy eyebrows creating shadows over his eyes and a frown hard on his face
<PapaGreene>: "Don't you ever say that to me, ya hear? He took away the one goddamn good thing I had in this world, I don't give a shit where he is now."
<PapaGreene>: "No, two. After Harriet died John took off"
<PapaGreene>: "Like hell do I have to care about him. He already took enough from me, my opinion won't be one of em"
<Jitterbug>: He never meant for those things to happen. To blame a kid like him, shows who the true filth right here is!
<Jitterbug>: Wanna know what?
<Jitterbug>: You just get out of here!
<PapaGreene>: The man doesn't say anything. He seems to be thinking, and his anger has changed into a look of doubt
<Jitterbug>: You would only bring him down, and I honestly do not want you to make him sad, or even come into our house!
<Jitterbug>: I can't believe you
<PapaGreene>: "...what does he do nowadays" he seems to completely change the topic at the drop of a hat
<Jitterbug>: He is head of Security, helps me run my shop, and teaches art sometimes
<Jitterbug>: And the best thing he does?
<Jitterbug>: Be the best damn husband he can ever be
<PapaGreene>: The shadows over his eyes do not lift, but his scowl has at least faded
<Jitterbug>: Why the sudden interest, eh?
<Jitterbug>: Thought you didn't owe him aything
<PapaGreene>: "I don't need you knowing why I do and don't do things, alright?" his defensiveness never drops. You can tell where Rob got his stubbornness from
<PapaGreene>: "I can think about things"
<Jitterbug>: Well, why don't you think about the harm you caused by kicking out your sons to the streets
<Jitterbug>: He may have almost died because of you, you know!
<PapaGreene>: "...You think I don't got my own feelings about these things? A man ain't a decisive goddamn creature. I've been living with it for a decade"
<Jitterbug>: Then....maybe you can make it right...
Jitterbug stops her angry tone
<PapaGreene>: "...No. I can't. If the kid isn't a fool he'd be wanting my head on a plate as the next time he saw me."
<Jitterbug>: Listen...I can be a buffer
<Jitterbug>: It may hurt at first, but...do you care about your son's wellbeing?
<PapaGreene>: "Course I do, you think I ain't human?" he seems to contradict what he stated earlier. Doesn't seem like he's a very consistent man
<Jitterbug>: Well....if I show you were he is
<Jitterbug>: Do you promise, and I swear to god, I will hold you to that
<Jitterbug>: Do you promise to be civil?
<PapaGreene>: "...Fine"
<Jitterbug>: Good
Jitterbug extends a hand
<Jitterbug>: The name is Bella Greene, it is nice to meet you
<PapaGreene>: He reluctantly shakes her hand, his grip is extremely strong and cold like iron. "Conley Jay Greene" he is still endlessly stubborn and has an aura of contempt around him, but you're making progress
<Jitterbug>: Good. Now, I if you would follow me, and wait outside, I will go talk to him, okay?
<PapaGreene>: He looks around, incredibly unsure. "Then get on with it"
<Jitterbug>: Okay, I'm on it
Jitterbug heads off in the direction of their house, leading conley on the way there
<PapaGreene>: Papa Greene seems to be on the brink of turning around and heading off with every step, but he still follows her
Jitterbug knocks on the door
Jitterbug shoos PapaGreene to hide
<PapaGreene>: He grumbles and goes behind a tree
*** PapaGreene is now known as Greene
<Jitterbug>: Hey rob!
Greene opens the door, giving her a hug
<Greene>: "Hey Bella. Why are ya home so soon? You get the ingredients?"
<Jitterbug>: Yea, of course, and, I may have something else
Jitterbug reciprocates the hug
<Jitterbug>: It's close to the holidays, right?
<Greene>: "Oooh, what did you bring with you? It a surprise? Which kind of surprise? Some are different than others with you" he says with some excitement
<Jitterbug>: Well, what do you do around the holidays, that rhymes with mammaries?
<Greene>: "Oh, its one of /those/ surprises, right?"
Greene has something completely different in mind
<Jitterbug>: Well, I maaaaaaay have bumped into a familiar face, and I want you to promise me something okay?
<Greene>: "Right out of the blue too, you always do that whe- wait what?"
<Jitterbug>: You will not be angry, okay?
<Greene>: "Oh, different surprise. Familiar face?"
<Greene>: "What do you mean?"
<Jitterbug>: Promise me first, okay?
<Greene>: "Why would I be mad? What do ya got up your sleeve, hmmm?" he smiles while leaning in a bit
Jitterbug kisses him, and grabs him by the arms, pinning them to his side
<Jitterbug>: Rob, meet your dad...
<Greene>: "WHAT?"
<Jitterbug>: Shh, shh, calm down, it's okay!
Jitterbug holds tight
Greene definitely does not think its okay, tries to wringle out of her grasp
<Jitterbug>: Rob, calm down
<Greene>: "What do you mean?! What?!"
<Jitterbug>: He promised to be civil
<Jitterbug>: You can come out, Mr. Greene
<Greene>: Paps comes out around the corner, dreading this almost as much as Greene is. They meet eyes and there is what almost seems like a full minute of just staring, both of them seeming to have a mental clash that you aren't involved in, only seeing
Greene isn't even struggling anymore, and he has soured considerably
<Jitterbug>: Now, guys, lets be calm here, okay?
<Jitterbug>: We are here to fix things, right?
<Greene>: They don't say a word
Jitterbug pokes Greene in the side
<Greene>: "Why'd you bring him here?" Greene says over to you, breaking the silence and sounding like he's rather furious under the surface
<Greene>: The two men are stubborn as oxen, neither stepping down from their ground
<Jitterbug>: He was on the bus, and I recognized the scent, and...I wanted to see if we could reconnect your dad back together before...
<Jitterbug>: the other surprise...
<Greene>: "...other surprise?"
<Jitterbug>: Rob...
Jitterbug grabs one of his hands, and places it on her stomach
Greene can see where this is going almost instantly, his eyes widen hard as if the father situation doesn't even exist. Paps seems confused
Jitterbug smiles widely, and lets go of Greene
<Greene>: "......wait, you don't.... what?" he fumbles his words
Jitterbug nods
<Jitterbug>: Knew a couple of days ago, waiting for the right time. Now is as good as ever, right?
<Greene>: "You... wait... that means that...?" Greene is putting the pieces together in his mind, whatever he was feeling before has been replaced by a mix of joy, terror, shock, and confusion
<Jitterbug>: Means I'm gonna be off my feet for a while, so dish duty is all on you
Jitterbug grins wider
Greene grabs her in a hug, an extremely tight one, and gives her a kiss
<Greene>: "Oh god oh god I... its actually happening isn't it?"
<Jitterbug>: Sure is, Greene Bean
<Greene>: "HEY! JACKASS! YOU'RE GETTING A GRANDKID!" he yells over to Paps, sounding a bit like he's rubbing it in
<Jitterbug>: And....I didn't want our kid to come into a world, not kno-
Jitterbug punches Greene's arm
<Jitterbug>: Hey, we want to be on good terms with him
<Jitterbug>: We are being civil
<Greene>: Papa Greene is shocked for a second, then his expression evens out
<Greene>: "What? He deserves more than that. He's lucky he's getting this great news, I wouldn't have even told him if he wasn't here!"
<Greene>: "I love you so much, like... I can't even describe" he doesn't break the hug
<Jitterbug>: Still, a promise is a promise, and what better time to fix past mistakes, than with the news of a child on the way?
Jitterbug pats Greene on the head
<Jitterbug>: I love you too, buddy
<Greene>: Paps stands to the side, for once that endlessly foul expression of his has gone away. There's a smile there, just barely one as you can tell expressing emotions isn't his strongsuit, but its there
<Jitterbug>: So...what are we gonna try and do, daddio?
Jitterbug says, kissing Greene on the cheek
<Greene>: "Be the best man I can for you... for all of us" Greene brightens up immensely "I promise"
<Jitterbug>: Good
<Jitterbug>: You want a little alone time...with him?
Jitterbug looks towards DadGreene
<Greene>: "You treat that kid right, you hear? That's my own flesh and blood, and this time they're getting what you should've" Paps finally says
Jitterbug salutes Conley
<Greene>: "I have a meeting, and you two probably have far more important things to worry about. Give me a call when you're ready. I'm gonna be a grandfather soon, can't have the kid seeing the hell I made"
Jitterbug smiles at the man, and waves him away
<Greene>: "Have a nice day, ya hear?"
<Jitterbug>: Will do...dad
<Greene>: Paps turns and leaves. Greene is still incredibly uncertain about this, but he isn't furious as he was before
<Jitterbug>: So...how ya feeling?
<Greene>: "...No more dying all the time, alright? We don't know if the kid can come back" Greene finally pipes up "I.... I'm gonna be a dad"
<Greene>: "Just saying that.... woah"
<Jitterbug>: Rob, come on
Jitterbug bops him on the head
<Jitterbug>: I may live life on the edge, but I'm not irresponsible
Greene grabs her and kisses her again, he's basically bouncing off the walls happy
<Jitterbug>: Calm down, don't wanna shake the bay, right?
<Greene>: "I can't believe it this is amazing. I'm... I'm going to be a father. I always thought about it but we're finally here"
<Greene>: "you're the most amazing woman I've ever met. "
<Jitterbug>: And you are on of the greatest guys I know, Rob
<Jitterbug>: but, you're gonna have tostep it off
<Jitterbug>: What, with me being off my feet for a while
<Greene>: "Oh god just think of the possibilities! what if it's a boy or a girl? What if it's a mutant?"
<Greene>: "I'll do anything. I'll pick up all the slack and. keep you safe and comfortable"
Jitterbug 's mood goes a bit down
<Jitterbug>: I never thought of that...
<Greene>: "...no matter what, we'll figure it out"
<Greene>: "we always have"
<Jitterbug>: I know...but how do these things work?
<Jitterbug>: What if he gets the worst of our powers?
<Greene>: "...oh god. I... I hope not. I have no idea how it's supposed to work"
<Jitterbug>: Yea....
<Jitterbug>: But, no matter what, We'll love it no matter what right?
<Greene>: "of course. It's ours. well make sure they grow up right"
<Jitterbug>: Yea!
<Jitterbug>: Highfive, man!
<Greene>: We'll be the best parents ever!"
Jitterbug demands the most epic of highfive
<Jitterbug>: BEST PARENTS
Greene gives the best high five of their lives
<Jitterbug>: So pysched!
<Jitterbug>: Now how bout you get in there, and make me some grub, okay?
<Greene>: "of course. You curl up and get some rest ya hear? I'll be running the serving from now on"
<Jitterbug>: Oh, my legs are so swollen
<Jitterbug>: I think I might just need a piggy back
Jitterbug mocks pain
Greene carries her in
<Jitterbug>: Such a gentleman, Robert Greene
Jitterbug pecks him on the cheek, and wraps her arms around him
<Greene>: I do my best" he smiles