Chapter 6: karaoke and Netflix[ Part 1]

Full Title: The Black Canary Sings and Netflix isn't for watching movies...

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Dinah Lance, better known to the world as Black Canary, sat in her apartment, staring at the framed photograph on her desk. It was of her and Oliver Queen, smiling brightly.

[Pic]

That was before the breakup, before the news she didn't want to get into. It was still too raw, too painful. And then, to top it all off, she had lost to one of her long-time rogues and ended up in the hospital for over a month.

The physical wounds had healed, but the emotional scars were fresh and deep.

She needed something to distract herself, something to take her mind off the chaos that had become her life.

As she scrolled through her phone, an odd ad caught her eye. "Need a break? Want to let it all out? Contact Arlo's Rental Services for a day of distraction and fun." She clicked on the ad, curiosity getting the better of her.

The website was simple and to the point, offering various services designed to help people unwind and de-stress. "Why not?" she muttered to herself. She could take a day off from heroing. She deserved it.

After making the booking, she grabbed her helmet and leather jacket, heading out to her motorcycle. The destination was five hours away, and she welcomed the long ride. The roar of the engine and the wind in her hair were therapeutic in their own right.

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When she finally arrived, she was surprised by how unassuming the place looked. A small building, neatly kept, with a welcoming atmosphere. She parked her bike and walked to the door, where Arlo greeted her with a warm smile.

"Welcome! You must be Dinah. How was the ride?" he asked, his voice sounded very kind and calming.

"It was good, thanks." she replied, appreciating his friendly demeanor. He was strikingly handsome, with a calm and kind presence that immediately put her at ease.

Arlo led her inside. "I understand you're looking for something to distract you. We can definitely help with that. Can I ask what your interests are?"

Dinah hesitated, not wanting to give away too much. "I enjoy music. It's always been a big part of my life. I just want to do something fun, something to take my mind off things."

Arlo nodded thoughtfully. "Music, huh? I think I have just the thing. But first, let's get the paperwork out of the way. Since this is your first service, it's on the house."

He handed her the necessary documents to sign, explaining each one briefly. Once that was done, he led her downstairs to a room she never would have expected. It was a musician's dream, filled with instruments of all kinds, but what he had in mind was something different.

"How about some karaoke?" Arlo suggested, a playful grin on his face.

Dinah raised an eyebrow, skeptical but intrigued. "Karaoke? Really?"

"Trust me, it'll be fun. Sometimes you just need to let loose and not take things too seriously," he replied, turning on the machine and selecting a song.

As the music started, Arlo took the microphone and began to sing. He was surprisingly good, but what stood out more was his horrible high notes. He danced around, making faces, and by the time the first song ended, Dinah was laughing.

"Alright, alright. You win. I'll give it a shot," she said, taking the microphone from him." Let me show you how it's done."

She started hesitantly, but as the song progressed, she found herself getting into it. Arlo's encouragement and playful nature helped her relax, and soon she was singing her heart out.

At one point, she even grabbed a nearby harmonica and played along during one of the choruses, much to Arlo's shock.

"See? This is what I'm talking about!" Arlo cheered, clapping as she finished the song.

"Okay, I admit it. This is fun," Dinah said, feeling lighter than she had in weeks.

"You know, I can make some pretty mean cocktails too. Want to see?" Arlo offered, standing up and heading to a small bar set up in the corner.

"Sure, why not? Let's see what you've got," Dinah replied, her curiosity piqued.

Arlo began mixing drinks with a practiced hand, showing off his skills. "This one's called a Blue Lagoon. It's refreshing and perfect for a night like this."

Dinah watched, impressed. "You're quite the bartender, Arlo. Ever worked in a bar before?"

"A year in university, and doing some odd gigs here and their. It was a great way to meet people and learn some new skills," Arlo said, handing her the finished drink.

She took a sip and raised a brow in suprise. "Holy shit—This is really good. You've got talent."

Arlo shook his head. "Thank you but your the talented one, especially with that harmonica, got any other talents."

Dinah laughed. "Well, I can sing, play a bit of guitar. And I know a thing or two about martial arts."

"Martial arts? That's impressive," Arlo said, raising an eyebrow. "You must be pretty tough."

"Let's just say I can handle myself," Dinah replied with a wink.

They continued to chat and drink, the conversation flowing easily. Arlo showed her around the place, giving her a tour of the different facilities.

"This is the gym. Fully equipped, if you ever feel like working out some stress," Arlo said, opening the door to a spacious room filled with various exercise equipment.

"Nice setup. Do you use it often?" Dinah asked, looking around.

"Every day. It's important to stay fit, especially in this line of work," Arlo replied.

They moved on to another room. "And this is the lounge. A great place to relax, read a book, or just unwind."

Dinah took in the cozy atmosphere. "You've really thought of everything, haven't you?"

"I try. The goal is to create a space where people can feel comfortable and safe," Arlo explained.

As they continued the tour, Dinah's curiosity grew. "So, what other services do you offer?"