Guy's Night Out

[run_barry]

After everything that's been going on lately, the time has come for a break. A planned visit from a friend is just the thing and with no major crisis going on at the moment, it's the perfect time to make that happen.

So, with an itinerary that includes science, food and video games, Barry is excited to bring Yamato in from Milliways for another trip to Central City.

Opening the door from the bar that's a broom closet in S.T.A.R. Labs, Barry gestures Yamato through.

"Here we are," Barry says with a smile. "Welcome back, dude."

The corridor, like most of rest of S.T.A.R. Labs that doesn't get used by Team Flash much, is usually pretty dimly lit, but today the passageway is bright in anticipation of their guest and the science that's about to commence.

Nodding down the hallway, Barry says, "Cisco and Caitlin are in her lab and we're all set up for you."

Comments

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"You're the one who called it, if I should be fighting anyone, it's you," Yamato says to Cisco. "I taught you how to throw a punch, right?"

He's moving towards the passenger door, though, because something tells him Cisco won't take him up on that Generous Offer™.

[makes_the_toys]

That gives Cisco considerable pause and when he opens the door and GP hops down into the front seat Cisco tells him, "GP, ride in back with Barry."

For his part GP doesn't seem to mind at all. He chirrups and then bounces between the two seats to join Barry in the back.

[run_barry]

Barry laughs at the exchange and then slides the door closed.

"Yamato's a good teacher," he says to the two up front. "You might've had a chance, Cisco."

[angry_friendship_wolf]

Yamato turns pink at that compliment, tilting his head around to give Barry a quick smile.

"Well, if you're sure ..." He says to Cisco, very innocently, settling into the passenger seat and shutting the door.

[makes_the_toys]

"Seatbelts!" Cisco declares, not wanting to talk about shotgun or a fight anymore.

The van comes to life and Cisco steers them out from the underground garage and onto the streets of Central City, leaving behind S.T.A.R. Labs, a building that still looks like a blown out shell from the outside.

[run_barry]

Barry smiles back at Yamato and then gets settled in with his seat belt while GP plops down next to him.

"You'll be able to see some of the city along the way," Barry notes to Yamato. "More when we head to Cisco's place."

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"Love you, kiddo," Yamato grins, nudging Cisco's shoulder with a fist.

He obediently puts on his seatbelt, tilting around to look at Barry. "That'll be cool. If we pass any major landmarks, point them out to me, okay?"

[makes_the_toys]

Cisco rocks a little with the nudge and his smile returns.

Putting on his blinker and taking a turn, Cisco affects a tour-guide voice and says, "On your left we have the Missouri River. North America's largest river, the Missouri flows with a butt ton of water on its way to joining the Mighty Mississippi."

[run_barry]

"That's where I learned I could run on water," Barry puts in. "Oh, and across the way is the steel mill where Girder tried to crush me. Coming up is the museum Captain Cold robbed that big diamond from."

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"Wow, you two are born tour guides, aren't you," Yamato says, amused. "The Central City Tourism Board is missing out by not hiring you."

[makes_the_toys]

"I can't tell if you really mean that or not," Cisco says, glancing over at Yamato. "But I'm going to take it like you really mean it and I'll be submitting my resume on Monday."

[run_barry]

"Well you and anyone else could see the whole city if you'd join 'Speedy Sightseeing'," Barry points out. He's just saying!

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"You just want an excuse to speed people around," Yamato says to Barry. "Admit it."

[run_barry]

"What? No," Barry denies. "I just want to make sure you get the full Central City experience."

[makes_the_toys]

"He's like an addict," Cisco tsk's. "Hey Yamato, don't tell Barry, but we should probably stage some kind of intervention or something."

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"At the very least, we should find some kind of anonymous group for him to go to," Yamato says airily.

[run_barry]

"Ha ha," Barry deadpans. "You're both hilarious."

[makes_the_toys]

"It's for the best, really," Cisco says to Yamato, grinning as he turns into a neighborhood. It's a quiet street with cheerful bungalow houses and well kept yards and shade trees.

[angry_friendship_wolf]

Huh, this place is nice. A far cry from Odaiba, where most of the residential areas have people packed on top of each other, at least.

"We nearly there?" He asks, with maybe just a hint of nervousness, because being nearly there means meeting Joe.

[makes_the_toys]

"Yup, yup," Cisco answers, pulling over in front of the house where an unmarked police car sits in the driveway.

"Good thing, too, I'm starving. I had Big Belly for lunch, but the bird burglar back there yanked my food from the desk."

"ARAWWW!" GP squawks hearing 'Big Belly'.

[run_barry]

"All that fast food can't be good for him," Barry notes.

Unbuckling his set belt, Barry reaches up to give Yamato's shoulder a pat; waiting to make sure Yamato's alright before he opens the door.

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"GP can't steal, because all food belongs to him anyway," Yamato says reasonably. "You were stealing from him."

He glances around at Barry, before giving his hand a quick pat and unbuckling his seatbelt, opening the door and hopping out. He's nervous, but that's fine. He knew he would be.

[makes_the_toys]

"Oh sure, take the freeloader's side," Cisco says, grabbing his keys and getting out of the van; ready to follow Barry up to the house.

[run_barry]

Barry gives Yamato a nod and then slides the door open and gets out of the van. He waits for GP to hop down and then closes the door, taking the lead position up to the front door.

Unlocking the house, Barry pushes open the door.

"Welcome to the West house," he says to Yamato, holding the door and standing aside to let Yamato and Cisco in.

The prevailing feeling of the house is warmth, from the sunny walls with wood trimming to the inviting furniture. To the left of the door is the living room area with a couch and chairs and pictures on the walls and mantel place. Straight ahead is the dining area with a big table and the kitchen just beyond. A staircase to the right leads up, and looking close at the corner of the wall at the foot of the stairs there are notches to be seen; growth marks carefully etched and labeled 'Barry' or 'Iris'.

Even though it isn't a large space, it's all very welcoming. A space that just feels homey.

Kicking off his shoes at the door, Barry calls out, "Hey Joe? We're here."

From up the stairs a voice calls back, "Be down in a sec."

[angry_friendship_wolf]

Yamato pads inside, taking it all in. His eyes go to exits and entrances first, like they do whenever he enters a new space, but that only takes a second, and after that, he takes the rest of it in.

It seems ... nice. Warm and homey in a way the Ishida apartment never has been, that's for sure.

He tenses up slightly at that voice from upstairs, but busies himself taking off his shoes, setting them neatly by the door.