"Alright... Thanks Barb. Talk to you later."
Before Velma walked back to where he was standing and waiting, he used the short time away from her to call up Oracle and let her know of the situation that had happened only a bit ago. Having her get on it, and make sure that the good Samaritans stayed unidentified. Hoping to keep his girlfriend and himself from making the evening news. The story was fine, just who was behind the capture was what needed to stay mysterious.
He made sure to finish before Velma came back to him. With two pretzel twists in her hands, offering one and nibbling on her own. Still riding the rush, it seemed to have made Velma hungry for a snack. And being a dense city market street, there wasn't a lacking of small stores for food options. And the bakery she choose had a few Shaggy and Scooby present ideas, giving her time to shop while he made to covertly cover their tracks.
Not that he had to hide it from her, but it was a habit hard to break. He trusted her, but she was enjoying herself at the moment. So, he didn't want to make her worry without reason. Depending on what Barbara came up with and let him know about, then he might fill her in. But why break the pleasant atmosphere?
"Did you find something for the guys?"
"Oh yeah, I mean they would eat anything from that store, really. I just had to find a food that wouldn't be too bulky for the bag and travel well. Not that they would care about tasty pile of crumbs, but still. Easier for the plane ride."
"I would offer to send you home. But I figure Daphne probably takes care of that, doesn't she?"
Munching for a second on the bite she took, she waited till she swallowed before responding to him. "Well, as long as her parent's aren't using it, yes. Not that I mind flying on conventional airplanes. I am a bit spoiled sometimes with her family being nice enough to let me get to use the family jet for business. I would complain about it being a waste, but with the environmental alterations that they have made on the jet with my input, the plane doesn't fly as far but uses far less fuel and has an electrical engine for-"
"Wait, the Blakes have a hybrid jet?"
Bruce was impressed enough that he accidently cut her off in his curiosity. He personally had all the tech installed in his own company jet as well as the Batplane. But he had his finger on the pulse of the latest tech. Between fighting against LexCorp for military contracts to his own vigilante needs. (Being the one to supply the military, he was also able to limit what they had access too compared to if he let Lex Luthor have them.) As well as all the tech he was able to get, from un-terrestrial connections. It was still impressive for such a 'normal' set of filthy rich people to have the technology to try to make a more ecofriendly jet. Though it did make sense that Velma had a hand in that. Her file did read that she had experience with several tech over the years, one time with an automatic hover plane that she hacked into once in Pacific.
"Yes. They do have normal jets for their company's transportation division, but I think they have been looking into other ways to make their cargo fleet a bit better for the environment... and..."
The look of his eager face must have tipped her off, as her sentence trailed off as she watched his expression change as she was talking.
"No... I mean... Maybe in the future but no... Please, I am not ready to face Daphne, let alone her parents if you made some type of stupidly generous donation to update their fleet right now."
"So, what I am hearing, is a 'not yet'."
Bringing up her hand at him, he felt a tad bit bad to watch her struggle against the idea. But he would be good, and give her time before he did something that dramatic like that. Teasing fine to a degree, but he had seen the limit of that sort of thing earlier. So, only a mild threat of overpriced presents at the moment. Though he wouldn't be against supporting the Blakes even more then he already did, for now. George had been one of the companies that supported his Father, and him once his parents died. So, he would love more excuses to pay the man back for all he has done for his family.
"...Yes. Not yet. Please."
"You have my word."
He did mean it. Though 'yet' was such a nice word, since it was flexible and didn't mean a specific moment in time. But for now, she had enough to worry about. Let alone him doing random acts of kindness to her Best Friend's family without prompting. He didn't need to give Daphne more reasons to be suspicious of him...
Yet.
"..."
Velma narrowed her eyes at him, studying his look and eventually relenting. Pursing her lips into a line before chomping a bite out of her pretzel. Which reminded him of his own, taking a few bites of the lightly salted treat. Thankfully it wasn't overly greasy or overly coated in harsh salt. Though the moment he was thinking about a drink, Velma held out the bottle of water from earlier that she still had. Predicting that he might think of a drink. Though she took a swing from it before she handed it to him. But she was distracted from his earlier comment to not have noticed that they were now sharing the single bottle.
They walked for a bit, before something caught her eye. Tugging him to the side to look at a seller's wares. It was jeweler, which peeked his interest, though more on why it got her attention then its contents. Maybe looking at it to see if this was something she was seeing for herself, or one of the gang. But the moment his eyes fell upon the ornate objects, his brows furrowed in puzzlement. It was curious, like something he had seen before yet not. Or at least not in the way presented on the velvet lining before him.
"Why does that look familiar?"
"These are repurposed jewelry. I've seen them before, but didn't think I would see it being sold here."
"Wait... is that a fork tine made into a octopus necklace?"
"Yes. There was a movement a while back for taking silverware and then making them into various types of jewelry. Very, do it yourself projects, it was advertised as. For those crafty inclined. Necklaces, rings, bracelets. Really what ever you can think of. I saw a website showing off some of these, but this is the first time I have seen one up close. Some of these are really intricate!"
The table set up on the edge of the sidewalk, was covered in open display boxes for the homemade creations. He watched her examine the work, going section by section looking for maybe something that would prove to be a nice piece to add one of the gang's collection. Bruce didn't know if she was fond of any type of jewelry herself. But this gave him an opportunity to bring it up.
"Something for the gang? Or does something catch your eye as well?"
"As nice as these pieces look, I'm not a huge fan of jewelry overall. And don't think I don't know what you are doing."
"Well, I need to get ideas from somewhere. Figures it was worth asking since we were here." He could have feigned innocence. But she was a detective too. Only so long he might be able to keep up a ruse around her, unless he was really trying. Plus, he didn't exactly try to hide his curiosity.
"Well, add that to the pile of 'yet'. I really don't need to end up tipping my hand before I am ready to talk to the gang about it. The last thing I need is something gaudy or suspicious to set off red flags for the gang. But since your 'not' asking, asking. I sometimes have some nice rings for a fancy occasion, but in general I don't like to wear them on my hands. I tend to get into too many things, I am always afraid I will break them or lose it doing something. Bracelets are in the same vein. I have a few, but the only ones I might use I am also not afraid to lose. And most things that are dangly, might get in the way on a mystery, or caught up while I am working on projects at home. So, at most I tend to like to wear necklaces. But I either wear them under the cuff of my sweater, or under it entirely. Less when I bend over, it to get tangled in something."
"Ah, that makes a lot of sense. Really can't afford to snag something on a mystery and lose it or it breaks."
"Daphne does like to wear them more then I do. But she still can be very minimalist. Fred might wear a simple ring or two overall. Though Shaggy tends to wear the most out of all of us."
"Hm, that is a bit of a surprise."
"As much of a clothes horse Daphne is, Shaggy does have her beat in this regard. He's got a massive belt buckle collection. It's really impressive! Though it tends to be under his long shirt, so it's not as obvious most of the time. And he does sometimes take them off for a Mystery if it's one of his favorites. He moped for days when he lost his favorite one time. Was hard to console the guy, and even longer to track it down for him."
"That makes sense."
"And Shaggy also was a camp councilor on and off some summers. So, tons of his 'kids' made him friendship bracelets and the like. So, he's very fond of something made out of love, so all for the hand crafts. Makes it a bit more personal."
"So, one of these would be right up his alley then. Not only hand made, but food themed. Being recycled forks, knives and spoons. Though I can totally see Shaggy as a councilor."
"Exactly. Though ideally I would love to find a repurposed silverware Belt buckle. Not sure if they make those."
"Excuse me miss, we have a collection of guy pieces on that far side. We might have a belt buckle there. I'm not sure what my sister all made."
"Oh, thanks. I'll go look."
Pointing to the far end of where the table extended, was a section the pair hadn't gotten to. Thanking the woman, Bruce followed after Velma as she made their way over there. Weaving in and out of the other people attracted to the crafts at that table. Though he was surprised at just the creative use of the materials and how vastly different most of the pieces looked. From ornate pieces that only barely looked like the original silverware it was taken from. To some really intricate pieces that took advantage of the tines of the fork or like cut out centers of a spoon's bowl to create a decorative design.
Though as he was perusing, his eyes landed on a small owl looking piece. Crafted from an old looking spoon head that used the neck of the handle to make a necklace loop. He instantly thought of Barbara, and his eyes in the sky. And she was a woman who might appreciate something like this. Not like he would be able to buy something like this for his sons. At least, he didn't think either of them would like a piece of jewelry from this table. But Barbara might. So, he flagged down the seller and made a purchase. Getting it put away in a small paper bag in time for Velma to wander over. Her hands full with what she seemed to want to buy as well. But she eyed him tucking away the bag, with a single eye brow raised at him.
"Should I be worried?"
"Do you want to be?"
"...No."
"Then you don't have to be worried." He paused to tease her slightly before easing up. "I bought it for someone else."
"Oh, now should I have to be worried?" She gave a laugh, joking at him before turning and completing her own purchase. Looked like she was able to find a belt buckle after all, as well as a simple looking keychain from the handle of maybe a knife and an ornate looking bracelet with a mix of utensil pieces. Getting them also in matching paper bags that she tucked away into her bag.
"How full is it getting in there?" Bruce asked, nodding in the direction of the bag he got her.
"Not too bad. I can fit a bunch of little things, and maybe something bigger. Why? You have an idea of something?"
"Maybe... But I am not exactly sure if would be something Fred might like. Since he's the only one I don't think you have found something for, right?"
"Yeah, nothing yet."
"Well, I know that a ways ahead, is a small area that has some tables we can sit at and eat. But I don't know exactly where this shop that I am thinking of it. And well, we can get out of the way of foot traffic and maybe look up where this store might be. Either with our phones on our own, or I can ask for some extra help." Bruce said pointing to his ear. "But might be more fun trying to look for it ourselves."
'That and Barb is busy with my last request, that we can handle this.' He thought to himself. Oracle was skilled at multitasking, but he would rather she paid attention to giving Velma a piece of mind. And not like they were in a rush for time.
"Ah, yeah. Also not all of the shops might appreciate us bringing in food. So, sure. Lead the way!"
Offering his elbow, she took him up on it as they continued to munch on their snacks. Traveling to the small collection of potted planters and metal tables with umbrella's on them. Giving them a shaded space to sit and snack, as well as search for his idea's location. He pulled out her chair and made sure she was sat before he went to his own. Pulling out her cell phone, as well as putting the bottle between them to be within reach for drinks. Being ready to look for his suggestion, if it might work.
"So, what do you have in mind?"
"Well, Fred likes to work with his hands, right? Traps and all. Well, does he happen to like those build your own kits? Like either the science ones, or of like model cars and things? I think they have some that are spaceships. And others that are based on famous cars from TV. Let alone a nice Muscle car he might like?"
"I can't say you don't have my attention with Science Kits, but yes. Fred would probably love something like that. Though I don't know if he would mind more of some of the space ships he already had."
"Oh, well that is good that you already know that he's made some before."
"Yeah, he's a bit of a fan of those. He's got a small space armada hanging from the roof of his closet. All assembled and everything. He used to be more secretive with that, but now that the whole house knows... it's hard to keep it a secret. He's a bit of a sci-fi guy, with a decent collection of DVD's and model stuff painted. I think there was some Star Trek and Wars... Might have been a Flash Gordon ship up there, not fully sure. And oh, and some Buck Rogers as well."
"Man, Duck or weird rabbit spin off from the 90's?" Joked Bruce, trying to recall all of his space themed spinoffs of the 25th century. Or 24th and a half, with Daffy Duck's version. Bruce faintly remembered rabbit being from some weird cartoon. But thinking about it, he wasn't sure what it was now. Not sure if he had actually seen it, thinking about it, or just imagined it. Some shows in the 90's, were like that.
"Oh man, that does sound familiar. But I think it was more the original TV series, space craft Buck Rogers. But I could totally see Fred liking a Duck Dodgers ship. But I am not sure how much different it actually is compared to it's non-spoof counterpart. I'm not as well versed and I am afraid to ask less I get one of those rare moments where Fred can out ramble Daphne or myself on the details."
"Ouch, that bad?" Bruce was surprised to hear that about the blond man, but everyone had their passions. And even like them enough to rival Daphne talking about Fashion. Would be fun to catch one of those some time though.
"Yes, that bad. But now that show is going to bug me. Let me google that rabbit thing before we look for the shop you are talking about it." Tongue sticking cutely out of the side of her mouth as she concentrated, her fingers went to work on look around the internet for this strange show.
"I think the rabbit was green, and it was in space... not sure if it was off of a comic book series or it became one later. One of those things that you are not sure if you made it up, or it actually exists." Bruce tried to recall what little he could picture in his head. But it was fuzzy on the details. Not something he personal liked, but he thought he had seen it on TV once long, long ago. Or making just seen from a commercial back in the day. But now doubting himself now that he had said the premise aloud.
"Well, unless this isn't it, you aren't imagining it." Velma managed to work her magic and search for what he was thinking of. A green rabbit in a red officer's uniform looked back at him. Posed with two space age looking pistols in his hands.
"Seems like it was a cult classic comic from here in America, that was later made into a cartoon for probably a money grab. As what happened with a lot of cartoons around that time. The cartoon helping sell the action figures. Though it later would pick up the comic in Scotland with adding pieces of the cartoon to the unfinished plot of the comics. Crazy. Though not sure if Bucky O'hare was made in any relation to Buck Rogers. But I love the name of the ship."
"Oh? what was it called?"
"The Righteous Indignation. Now that, is a name for a ship."
"Really!? That's what they called it? Seriously?"
"Well, they are also part of S.P.A.C.E, standing for Sentient Protoplasm Against Colonial Encroachment. Which yeah. Know why they chose the acronym there. Yeesh, what a mouthful." Velma shook her head and then moved away from their tangent to the real task at hand.
"Am I looking for a comic book shop for these models, or is this more of a hobby shop?"
"Hobby Shop. I think it should be around here somewhere. But I don't know if it's one of those weird shops that you need to go up a set of stairs behind a door at street level, or it's out of the back of another shop. I recall it being mentioned on the news once, hopefully we can find it from that."
Reaching out for the drink, he left it to her to search while he worked more on his pretzel. She seemed more skilled with being able to eat with one hand, and search with the other. Wondering if Daphne taught her that, or it was just in her own skillset. He could have done it as well. But was more then happy to just watch her work, while he munched and waited to see if she could find it.