New York: Radu's:
        As you step inside the brightly lit shop, the pleasant mix of
aromas from coffee blends and baked goods alike waft under your nose. The
place is decorated in a very homey atmosphere that seems a combination of
Fifties' Malt Shop and Mom's Kitchen. The counter encloses the coffee
machines and several glass-encased muffins and pastries are displayed
aside the cash register. The main picture window is emblazoned with a logo
of a coffee pot with a smiling mustached face and the word "RADU'S" below
it in European styled calligraphy. For those who want to stay a while and
have a cup of the finest java in the Village, or just simply soak up some
of the local color, there are a wide array of tables, booths, and stools
surrounding the counter.

Wally West:
        For being the Fastest Man Alive, Wally is taking his sweet time
and relaxing, in his casual attire. When not 'at the office' and 'on the
job' Wally likes to wear simple clothing, like the rather worn pair of
Levis, a pair of almost-ratty canvas sneakers and a plain tucked-in white
t-shirt. About his left wrist is a gold watch, and on his ring finger
right hand is a ring, with the 'Flash' insigna on it.
        Wally is a trying for the 'fairly average looking American guy'
type look, which is not so easily accomplished with his dashing good
looks, well managed physique and red hair. His bangs part and hang over
his thick dark eye brows, fading down to his Elvis-length sideburns. His
bright baby-blues are firm above his strong square jaw, that is set above
his broad shoulders and lean form.

Bart Allen:
        Clear amber eyes look at you innocently from a young face with a
pointed chin. The boy you see looks to be in the 12 to 15 age range,
nowhere near physically mature, yet on the very edge of growing up. His
lightish brown hair is long, and apparently quite uncontrollable - it's a
rare moment that he's quiet enough to let it settle, and when it does, it
invariably falls into his face. Those eyes of his are dreamy and
preoccupied, as his mouth forms a bemused line...ah yes, undoubtedly
pondering unfathomably deep thoughts is he, such as why in heaven's name
Superman's hair doesn't get mad frizzy without an antifriction aura, and
how Lex keeps his head so shiny.
        Bart's lanky form is clad in an 80s-ish shirt (which is,
unfortunately, in fashion) with one of those nutty collars and a wide
stripe down the middle, and a pair of baggy cutoff shorts which reach well
past his knees. Over his shirt he's wearing a zippered sweatshirt-cardigan
with a drawstring hood and pockets; on his feet are baseball socks and
really big Doc Martins, with lime-green shoelaces. If the kid notices you,
he'll wave and flash you his patented manga grin. ^_^

Not only do the aromas of the warmly lit coffeeshop greet you upon
entering, but you also sense a sort of mellow, no-stress atmosphere
permeating the air inside. Near the back, you can see a familiar mop of
gravity-defying hair sticking up above the back of a booth - and oddly
enough, it doesn't move. No fidgeting. No yakking, so he isn't here with
anyone. The only sounds you hear, in fact, are those of the barista as she
cleans up behind the counter.

"Bart?" That would be Wally speaking, as he comes in, and yawns his
greeting. riding the bus, to a speedster, either active or former, is a
painful, painful process. He just wasted several hours of his le that he
will never get back, and the whole while he was thinking Scarlet Racing
Red Thoughts <tm>, which he knows he shouldn't have been doing. No
regrets, no regrets..... just have to keep dealing myself that. "Bart, you
okay?" And Wally just doesn't enter now, but approaches you. Fortunately
this was the bus stop and he came in to get something to drink. "Bart, I'm
back. Are you awake back there?"

Of course he is. In a coffeeshop? The kid doesn't turn, but makes the
metal sign, by way of greeting. Oh yes, his hand shoots up from behind the
back of the booth, and you begin to have your suspicions that he watches
too much MTV. Once you get all the way back there, he looks up and smiles
slightly, and grandly gestures for you to take a seat across from him.
Before him is a yummy comforting brick of a mocha, whip cream and all,
untouched -- so he can't have been there long, right? He picks it up and
holds it tightly in his hands, feeling the warmth of the ceramic mug,
shutting his eyes for the briefest of moments. Then, pleasantly, "How was
Gotham?"

"Fine, Bart, just ... well, not really." Wally shrugs as he makes it back
there, and then restign a hand on the back of the seat on his side of the
booth, he slides into place, across from you. "I had a real long and hard
talk with Dick, but in the end, it was fine. He was ... supportive. Which
was great. Just what I needed, I think. It's good to know that I still
have friends out there, great friends." And Wally finds himself smiling a
little. He was hoping that Dick was still a friend, and it was great to
find that out to be true,s till. "But, what's wroongwith you? You seem so
.. mellow ... and pardon me for saying so, but I've never seen you like
this. Is something wrong?"

"Hoo," grins Bart, setting his mocha down. "'Scuse /me/ for saying so, but
maybe you've never seen me like this 'cuz you don't see me a whole lot?"
The boy shakes his head and settles back comfortably into the booth.
"Someone once told me that there are times when you feel like you just
need to be quiet and listen. I thought she was on crack. But she's right.
There /are/ times when," he pauses, thinking, looking for the right words
and rubbing the back of his neck, "...when it's time for a solid mocha
with whip cream on top, and it's better when it's out, instead of in. I
mean, it'd be pointless if I were drinking this in the rec room." Finally
he stops, looking up apologetically. "Dunno if I'm making any sense."

By the size of the smile he has you might guess that you are makign a
whole lot of sense to him right now. "No, Bart," and in case you couldn't
tell, "You are making lots of sense." Wally leans back himself, getting
comfortable. "I'm sorry, first of all, for having ignored you before, just
... staying away,a nd not having much to do with you. But, I hoppe you can
forgive me for that. I was ... upset, and still am in some ways. It isn't
easy dealing with the idea of being replaced, you know." And Wally shrugs
a little. Seems he is trying to work through that. Passing you rthe suit
was sign of it. Hope he can do this, no? "But, I agree. For living the
life in the fast lane, constantly, sometimes it is good to just sit back
and enjoy things that you might otherwise miss running at Mach 10. Like
Linda." He smiles, one of those goofy in-love smiles. "Just as long as
that 'down time' isn't n a bus. Gosh, they're annoying..."

Bart Allen idly rubs his nose. "Hitch," he says simply. "And if you wanna
be legal about it, hitch w ride with a friend. Or ask me. Or Cassie, even.
She'll fly you."

Wally smiles and nods, leaning back again, rubbing at his neck, and
looking up at the ceiling. "Thanks, I'd appreciate the lift." Lift. Fly?
Be carried? Get it? Seesm Wally is getting intot he bad puns. "But, I
don't know how much I will be visiting Dick, if he wants me there and
about. Seems he has a new roommate anyway, Connor. Or at elast that is how
it seemed. besides, I thought I was going to be here in New York for a
bit, with you."