blind_devil

[redarrowqueen]

Thea's hunch had been confirmed via an email from Harry Wells, something had indeed happened to Kristen before she took the transfer into CCPD that would explain her rotten confidence (citing privacy he would not give the details but did mention she was easily intimidated by most men). So she and Matt were tasked with coming up with a plan of attack as the 3 teams (along with the Legends thanks to video) would be on a between villains mission to help the shy archivist who became Madam Archivist via a Cisco Ramon nickname over the summer and in the process becoming Barry's girlfriend.

"Danny mentioned she's just fine around him and Ray for some reason. But then Ray is a big happy puppy. She's fine around Curtis too. She's also just fine around Foggy." she mused. "However she won't look Oliver, Dig or Luke in the eyes if at all." not knowing Matt could heard her musing at that same moment. "So how do we up her rotten confidence?" a pad with a list of ideas sitting atop the coffee table next to her soda and a bag of buffalo wing chip.

Comments

[blind_devil]

Matt considered it. "It's more manly men that intimidate her according to Harry. Me, Dig, Oliver Luke, Sam we give off that air of well....manliness. Oliver in particular is scary. He really isn't a people person."

[redarrowqueen]

"So how does that explain Cisco, Curtis, Danny, Ray and Foggy?" Thea offered. "But I also noticed that: when she and Barry were in Star City last month for that conference. They came by the cave just to visit and she would not look Dig or Ollie in the eyes. But she hit it off great with Curtis." she explained. "Its like she's fine with women and geeky/goofy guys but as you said the more manly the more like she'll freak."

[blind_devil]

"It really makes me hate her boyfriend," Matt says, "Sam says he met him once and wanted to rip his head off. And Sam is more a gentle giant around most actually people."

[redarrowqueen]

"I only heard bits and pieces pre meeting Kristen but Laurel had bad vibes too." Thea added. Laurel had been in Gotham for cases a few times and knew several within GCPD well. "You know its bad when Sam wants to slug someone that is not a problem he and Dean would go after." she mused. "How do we help her?"

[blind_devil]

"My dad once told me sometimes you have to treat people like animals. And what do you do with a scared animal," Matt said, "you treat it gently and calmly and let them find their way to trusting you."

[redarrowqueen]

"Just like Barry winning Kristen's trust and eventually her heart." Thea connected the dots. "She's getting there: she's become a massive part of the nerd corps but its like I know there's more we can do to help while she trusts us." she muses. "Granted Laurel, Felicity and I wanted to make over her wardrobe for ages. The retro Barbie thing works with her but we see a confidence boost via closet update." the girls only meaning well of course. "Just wish she saw what we see: I see a scary smart woman who makes Barry super happy. She is also the heart of Team Flash along with Cisco."

[blind_devil]

"Barry had the patience to win her over first," Matt confirms, He knew Barry was worried over whatever he'd seen in the future. Enough that he was planning on going back. An idea suddenly occurred to him and he smiled. "How about this," he says, "why don't you make me over...I need some new casual clothes. Then we can see if there is anything Kristin is interested in and pull her in to be made over. It might make her relax around me too."

[redarrowqueen]

"He waited for her and that paid off. He's so much happier with Kristen around and she's happier too." Thea added. A smile escaped as ideas brewed,"You finally going to let me get you some jeans that fit?" going for playful since casual wear was a running inside joke for the two. "And has anyone seen Kristen in anything beyond those pencil skirts and twin sets? I get its her niche but she could rock the right pair of skinny jeans too." making mental lists as she spoke. "And you're right, something light and fun may be a way to see we won't harm her,"

[blind_devil]

"I've been told in no uncertain terms dude get some new jeans or yours will fall apart with you still in them," Matt says, "harsh but true so yes it's time for you to get me clothes that fit and I promise I won't be as picky as I was with the dress clothes."

[redarrowqueen]

At that moment Thea's phone rang with a text. "Only Kristen! She's due up in a few days for some archivist thing and she has that lead on Cobblepot too." since it was another thing they were aiding. As she drops a kiss onto Matt she adds,"Foggy?" knowing he was a source for a lot of gentle teasing. "And Oliver sent some old suits up too, all they need is some minor work on the sleeves given the height difference." since Oliver's been knowing to send clothes up as closets are cleaned out. "Trust me love, I know casual wear so you have nothing to fear."