The Hang-Out ~T~ Titans Island Open to the view of the sky outside, the sun or stars above will add to the light and atmosphere of this most unique of lounges. Follage of all kinds both native and alien natural beauty come together to fill this dome with life, as a living wilderness makes it's home here. The air is very fresh yet slightly humid and moist to help support and be supported by the plant life here, as even the occasional tree spreads out here or there, with a small brook winding through the soft fertile transplanted soil. Paths twists this way and that to lead around this large garden, all leading to the various entrances or exits here, as well as the raised central platform. In the middle of this miniture forest is a raised flat square area which is covered in an oriental style rug, with three large comfortable white sofa arranged around three of the four sides. Aside from the rectangular with a few magazines on it, there are also fours chairs spaced, facing the fourth side that the sofas do, where the entertainment center unit sits. The stereo is normally always active, playing some tune quietly. Sandy Hawkins Reasonably tall, but nonthreatening at first and second glances, this young blond man with touseled curls has an easygoing demeanor about him. His - Sand's - eyes are a bright cornflower blue, guarded yet friendly; his nose is straight and his clean-shaven jaw a bit pointed. The man's build is that of an adventurer, with powerful shoulders tapering down to a fit waist and stomach; for those that look more than twice, you can see that for all his apparent relaxation, he's extremely alert and aware of his surroundings. Sanderson's wearing a plain, standard navy blue heavy cotton suit and a black tie. The suit jacket is unbuttoned, exposing a spotless button-down shirt and loose black tie; his oxford collar is ironed straight, but also loose - it looks like the top button isn't even there. If he turns suddenly, you can see a leather gun harness under his jacket. On his feet are worn black dress shoes. Donna Troy The woman before you appears to be in her mid-twenties with a slender figure that is well toned from regular exercise and keeping in shape. She has long, ebony hair that flows over her shoulders in obsidian waves and frames an attractive oval countenance in silken strands. Her features are classical Grecian in appearance with high cheekbones that seem to proclaim a Mediterranean heritage. Her eyes are a shade of sapphire that make a striking contrast to her dark hair and fair complexion. She is dressed comfortably in a cream colored, knit sweater that falls to about mid-thigh and has a turtleneck collar. She has on a pair of slim cut blue jeans that are in complimentary contrast to the loose fit of the sweater. A silver necklace hangs around her throat with an unusually shaped charm that is also silver. On her left wrist is a slender watch that is mostly covered by her long sleeves. A pair of brown leather hiking boots fit with the season and offer that extra traction when uncertain weather strikes. --- Donna's actually been spending quite a bit of time in the recc room. Its peaceful. Quiet for the most part. A nice little garden setting. That, the gym, and her studio. Keeping herself busy pretty much and the more, the better. Right now, she's kicked back on the cough, laying on her side, flipping idly through channels. Ms. Troy isn't exactly a t.v. watcher, so this either signals her true boredom, or she's looking for a distraction. And so much for peace and a wholesome setting - Sandy walks in, immediately notices the apparently open area, starts fishing for his cigarettes, and curses under his breath when his brain takes over and reminds him that if it really -were- open, there wouldn't be couches in the middle. He lets his hands - whoo, now completely cast-free - drop to his sides, and clears his throat as he approaches. It would never do to startle Donna. "What's on at this time of day?" he asks quietly, stopping about six or seven feet away. "Can't be anything that interesting." Donna Troy blinks a moment. She pauses on what seems to be USA judging by the icon in the corner, and peeks up and over the edge of the couch. "Sandy?" Her voice sounds surprised, perhaps you were the last person she expected to say. Well, one of two, give or take. She moves to sit up and seems to recover her manners as she runs a hand through dark hair. "Nothing much, let me tell you. Please, have a seat." She says, gesturing to the living room with couches and chairs enough to seat all of the Titans and then some. "Can I get you anything?" Sandy Hawkins shakes his head. "Nah," he says wryly, taking a seat across the area from Donna. "If you treated me like some sort of much-revered never-seen uncle every time I showed up here, I'd clean you out right quick." He frowns, looking distinctly uncomfortable, then reaches up and scratches his nose. "Has Jack been around yet since he, er, stormed out?" Way to be subtle. Way to display tact. Donna Troy nods her head slowly and re-settles herself, having been moving to dash to the kitchen for one thing or another. "Oh, sorry." She shifts a bit as she herself doesn't look entirely at ease. Rather, she is quiet for a moment, but she does look over her shoulder a bit. Does she expect someone else to show as well? But then she whips her head back to Sandy. "Jack...?" She sighs and shakes her head. "No, not since that night. Is he...I mean...." She sighs again. "How is he?" Laughing slightly, Sandy shakes his head and looks entirely too rueful. "Don't ask me what it was I did, but I managed to calm him down and/or cheer him up without getting him -too- drunk. He's okay. Surlier than even *I* usually am, but okay." He pauses, then leans forward, elbows on his knees. "We ended up going to Opal as per Ted's request, and...ah, honest, we didn't mean for it to happen - ran into and fought the guy who's been stalking JSAers. The guy stole Mikaal and Jack's rod. So he's in an even worse mood, but he's still not...I dunno. Dangerous." Again, a pause, and a look up at Donna, searching. "I feel like a heel for saying this, but Donna, he really needs you. He really needs to sort this out with you." Donna nods her head slowly to Sandy's first words. "I'm glad someone managed to...." She knows how upset he was, how angry, but just blowing up like that -- "I don't know why he's worked himself into such a fit over this. You'd think he'd be glad to see someone I thought was his teammate in one piece. He had no right to threaten Roy like that...." And the anger is clear in her voice, but also, perhaps a bit of frustration. But then she looks up again as Sandy continues and blinks dark blue eyes. "By the gods...is he okay?" The concern is etched in her voice and she looks both shocked and surprised. Is that way he hasn't even bothered to call? Not that she's much better. Then, there is a shaking of her head after a long moment. Again, the look on Jack's face when he left is clear in her mind's eye. "Somehow, I think I'm the last person he wants to see." Sandy Hawkins sighs, sitting back and rubbing his face. "Man, I can't do this," he mutters, then lets his hands drop again. "You remember how he got when the cops had the Rod as evidence?" With an irritated look on his face, he sort of observes as an aside, "They always manage to get him where it hurts." The blond-headed man shakes his head again, looking at his hands, and is silent for a moment., thinking. "I'm...not the best at figuring out what to do in this kind of situation, but he needs a lot of support right now, and mine isn't enough." Donna Troy nods her head just a little, drawing up her knee as she listens and watches the blonde sitting across the way from her. "I remember...." She also remembers seeing Jack roughed up after his first night there. She takes a breath and seems to think. "Look, Sandy, I know what it must mean for you to come see me like this and that...well...you probably don't exactly like me very much to begin with," whether its true or not, Sandy's visits and then almost just as quickly leaving whenever she seems to be around and general attitude have left her wondering about Jack's best friend. "But believe me, I'm not trying to be difficult. Truthfully? I'm angry. Maybe about a lot of things. But when Jack left that night, he wouldn't even talk to me. Why would he want to now?" The guy's obviously flabbergasted. His mouth opens and shuts, once, again, as he tries to think of something to say to that. "Not like you?" he finally comes out with, eyes wide. Wow, it's like watching tennis, watching his face - Sandy's trying to figure out what could make Donna think that. "I like you fine! I have -no- idea what makes you think that..." It's honest enough. Maybe if Donna -told- him, he'd be able to explain. He shakes his head, then looks up again. "Seriously. But, uh...the point at hand...I'm thinking maybe he had a perspective problem, there, that night, and it's cleared up some by -actual- bad thinngs happening. And he's just as uncomfortable about initiating talking as you are, but I figure you have better sense." Donna Troy watches Sandy's expression and seems just slightly...confused. Did she perhaps misjudge something? Its not like it would be the first time, but she was beginning to think certain things were perhaps subtle hints. Still.... Donna nods a bit as she thinks. "Jack can be stubborn, but you're saying you guys fought this thing, or whatever it was, and it took the Cosmic Rod?" She can just imagine how Jack must be feeling right now. She nods her head slowly. No, she can put aside her own feelings for right now. It might not mean she necessarily forgives his actions before, but how could she just ignore him at a time like this. Truth be told, she can't. "All right," she says, looking up now. "Is he still in Opal?" "Yeah...yeah, he is. And yeah...not just the Cosmic Rod -" Is Sandy the -only- person who looks like he belongs on the set of Friends that can say 'Cosmic Rod' in all seriousness and not look like he's gonna crack up or something? "- but that blue guy, Mikaal Tomas. Was Starman for awhile. Almost got Ted, too." He stands, looking inquisitive. "And while I really wanna know what made you think I didn't like you, we should probably go. If you're coming." Again, it's Mr. Tact. Yeow, he oughtter be a diplomat. Donna Troy nods her head slowly as she stands at Sandy's words. "Okay, we can take the Titan jet there unless you had some other means...?" Maybe she could carry Sandy all the way to Opal, but somehow, that might not be most advisable. She smiles just slightly, though she seems more worried now perhaps than anything. "I'm sorry if I was mistaken Sandy, I guess I just -- " She shakes her head. Like he said, they can discuss it later. "I doubt the car is advisable." He doesn't really even consider flying with Donna to be an option - and they both know why, yeah. "Let's take the jet." You lead the way - I have no idea where it is." Donna Troy nods her head slow. "Right." She turns and heads down off the platform and turns toward the direction that is quickest to the hanger. There's more than one mode of transportation for the Titans and she doubts it'll be missed for the day. Besides, this is important. Opal City Observatory Welcome to Opal City's longest standing functonal observatory and Starman museum. Once inside, the first things that strike you about the structure are the smooth, octagonal, marble walls, which stretch widely around the mechanical structures in the center. The floor too, is marble, and somewhat shiny, making echoing footsteps a reality as whenever one walks inside. Most of the room is empty, except for the aforementioned machinery, and some computers in the distance in one corner. A couple of doorways lead to other wings of the observatory, including teh world famous Starman Museum, where one can find authentic items owned or used by the many men who've held the mantle of the cosmic crusader. In the center of the room, an expansive chrome Telescope, with a long and winding movable stepladder leading up to it. The sky is visible overhead through the open observatory roof, a clear yet chilly night which makes the stars all the more visible.