10208/It's Not a Bribe, It's Just Chocolate

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It's Not a Bribe, It's Just Chocolate
Date of Scene: 20 February 2022
Location: Cafe Lalo
Synopsis: No description
Cast of Characters: Satana Hellstrom, Andi Benton




Satana Hellstrom has posed:
     Satana had gotten ahold of Andi, all casual. She mentioned that there was a tasting going on at a cafe, complete with a menu and courses. Of course, she was pretty sure that the symbiotic entity would agree...

Andi Benton has posed:
Being reached out to was a little unexpected, but there were a few things about Satana that had Andi - and Mania, for that matter - feeling a little unsure of it all. Then came the invitation. Food? Dessert? Andi looked the cafe up.

<<Mania>> This place looks very tasty, Andi.
<<Andi>> Uh, yeah. Look at all the--
<<Mania>> Yes, chocolate. We see it. We should go eat all of it. What could go wrong?
<<Andi>> We've been through how much together and you still just asked that?
<<Mania>> It. Is. Chocolate.
<<Andi>> And some lady from Hell or whatever. We've seen what she can do to people.
<<Mania>> It. Is. CHOCOLATE.
<<Andi>> Fine. Whatever. Let's go. If something bad happens, it's your fault.
<<Mania>> Nothing bad comes from chocolate, and we are hungry. If you want, we could find some brains.
<<Andi>> Chocolate is fine. Chocolate is very fine.

So it is that Mania swings into the neighborhood, descending into an alley a couple blocks away before Andi strolls out, looking as punk/goth as ever.

Satana Hellstrom has posed:
     The redhead is already waiting for her guest, seated at a private table with a fancy printed menu in hand. There are a few different tracks that one can go down as far as what one wishes to order. Spiced chocolates, varying in intensity and heat; Milk to Dark, from mostly sweet to dark and intense; and then fruit infusions. They all come in courses with a beverage of coffee or tea to cleanse the palate between bites. Of course, everything else is available to order, but the main draw of the day might be an excuse to liquidate post-Valentine purchases.

Andi Benton has posed:
"Now I know it's gonna be tough, but you need to stay out of sight in here," Andi mutters under her breath before opening the door. Is there a difference between speaking aloud and keeping it all internal? No, not really.

She guides a few strands of dyed hair away from an eye upon entering, dressed in her usual blacks and pinks, and the safe assumption is a place like this isn't a normal one to find her in. Others are dressed casually, but a bit more tastefully than her usual attire.

Then, there is the question of Satana. How has she chosen to appear today? Blue eyes make a sweep of the room.

Satana Hellstrom has posed:
     Satana looks rather human! No horns, her hair red and glossy. She's in a bright cherry red coat, though she is shrugging out of that, and otherwise is in very tight black attire. A sweater in black with little red horizontal stripes and wet look jeans and her favorite shaggy boots. She seems to be contemplating the menu with interest, biting her lower lip in a way that make some men in the room a little too interested.

Andi Benton has posed:
Human, yet still exotic in ways that draw the eyes, especially of a few guys who are nearby. Will they grow jealous when Andi is the one that ends up simply strolling over that way to take a seat across from Satana?

She does so with a light lift to an eyebrow, the one with a couple rings piercing it. "You own sweaters? I had no idea," she says by way of a conversation starter. "So..how did you find this place?"

Satana Hellstrom has posed:
     "I own lots of things," Satana says, peeking over the menu. "I was just walking by after a meeting and saw the window sign late last night. This sounded delightful, and it seemed like something you'd enjoy," she says, letting the menu slip down to the table. "So I hope that you... both of you... came hungry, because I bet between the two of you, you'll be able to go through all three courses," she says. "Or take one home for later."

Andi Benton has posed:
"A lot of things smell good," Andi reports, glancing toward the dessert displays, then her menu, then Satana with the way she's looking over the top of the menu in her hands. "But we didn't expect something like this. I think we have an..appetite, though." Inside, no doubt, Mania is already virtually drooling with anticipation, and it shows in a subtle shifting of Andi's place in her seat.

Clearing her throat, she adds, "Probably good if we don't wait too long to get started on something."

Satana Hellstrom has posed:
     "Order whatever you like, my treat. Life has been good, I'm in a generous mood," she says. "Meeting all kinds of new people." Useful ones.
     "We are ready to order," she says, as a server scoots over in a hurry. "I'll have black tea and the spiced chocolate tasting menu. Andi? What will you be having?" she asks, seemingly in good spirits.

Andi Benton has posed:
Andi Benton's eyes narrow at Satana's choice of words. Just a squint, just for a moment, but she's not so naive that she can't make a guess or two at potential things behind what the woman with the fiery hair says.

It's passed off with a brusque, "Thanks," for she is still looking rapidly over the options on the menu. Abruptly, she adds when the server shows up, "Chocolate. Hot. I mean, hot chocolate. With whipped cream. And this." She points to the basic chocolates, but it would give a nice sampling of milk chocolate, dark chocolate, other flavors infused, creamy centers, and more. The spicy/fruity options are left behind for the moment.

Satana Hellstrom has posed:
     The waiter scurries off, leaving the two at the table, "I'm thinking of doing an internship, the opportunity has come up," Satana says conversationally. "The city definitely has some interesting connections. What've you been up to?" she asks, barely having time to do so before the drinks are delivered to the table.

Andi Benton has posed:
"You, an internship? Uh, what kind of internship would that be?" Andi wonders, unable to hide a flash of curiosity in her reaction. "Like, why would you even need an internship for anything?" There's the greater question behind it, yes. "And I wouldn't really know about connections," she finishes with a shrug.

Eyes pause on the server, waiting until others are out of general earshot before saying anything more. "Got a boring job. Then there's the other thing you know about. Still haven't told dad about that one. Dunno how he'd handle it. He didn't see me, uh..well, let's come back to that later."

Satana Hellstrom has posed:
     "Management," Satana says, all cheery and perky. "There are some things I simply do not know how to do, and I want to be better at them. My dad's kind of... mm. I wouldn't want to work at his company right now, is what I'm saying. Like most kids of old guys who think they know best, I think *I* know more than him," she says, dipping her tea bag in and letting it steep.
     "Mm, but how's the job going?" Satana asks, watching the waiter come and go. "I might have more projects for you, if you like. And telling parents things can be difficult," she agrees.

Andi Benton has posed:
Andi Benton doesn't appear to have any problem with the hot chocolate being..hot. At least, it doesn't require her to let it sit for a few minutes before she can stand to sip at it. There is a fluttering of the eyes that suggests it's enjoyed by more than just the woman across from Satana.

Then, she sniffs. "Sounds boring. Not that standing behind a counter for hours and dealing with people who have stupid questions about why their 'rare' CD collection really isn't worth a thousand dollars is exciting."

Talk of fathers or parents and telling them things and knowing more of them..it leads to her glancing out the window toward the street as she asks distractedly, "What kind of projects?"

Satana Hellstrom has posed:
     "Oh, I lucked out, the fellow who will hopefully be mentoring me is anything but. Kinda hot, too, that helps," she says as she takes out her teabag and sips from her drink. The heat definitely doesn't bother her, either!

     "People really think CDs are rare? Oh dear," she says. "Isn't the whole point of them to be cheap and easy to make? Or was, everything's digital now, I'd imagine. As for projects, my little device is working slightly better, so it's a lot of finding magical goodies and getting them into my greedy hands," she says.

Andi Benton has posed:
"My boss looks like he needs a crane to get out of bed," Andi scoffs, and whether that's real or an exaggeration, only one way to find out. "So, I guess you're winning that one."

After another sip of hot chocolate, she waves a hand. "Don't get me started. Just because you paid $20 for a new CD thirty years ago doesn't mean it's worth that much now. And it probably has scratches. Nobody's coming in demanding 8-tracks, right? Besides, whatever we'd give someone isn't what we'd sell it for. We have to be able to make a profit, or we're just throwing away money on junk. Most of that stuff sits around anyway, so no, you're not getting more than a dollar for most of it. At least I can listen to music I like when I'm working, and we have good speakers."

She has Opinions About Work.

Then she squints again. "Oh, like when I had to fight those things?" Around that time, plates of chocolates are being brought over.

Satana Hellstrom has posed:
     "Well, I did have to break into his house to get the interview," she says, eyes a little wild. Oh goodness.

     "Sounds like you deal with some interesting people. Do you want me to scatter cursed records around to give them a spook?" she asks. She seems serious. "Could be a fun way to spend the day, or at least an interesting one."

     "Mmhm, sometimes. But a lot of times it's just a matter of sneaking in and staying off camera, and keeping the items in one piece. And sometimes keeping them from sneaking away," she says. "My poor little egg..." At that moment, their first course arrives, on cute little plates and all done up with extra chocolatey decoration.

Andi Benton has posed:
Andi Benton stares. "I'd probably have nightmares if I broke into whatever hell my boss lives in."

She shakes her head quickly at the suggestion. "No..I don't think that'd be a very good idea, unless you had a way to get my boss to be a clean freak. Or at least learn what deodorant is. That would be a start." Andi's opinion of the one she has to work for is not a very good one, it seems. "Ever since he came in, I've felt dirty just by showing up."

Before she's able to say anything about the jobs Satana might be thinking of, it's a chocolate smorgasbord. She covers for a little shiver from the sight and smell of it all by adjusting her position again, then she immediately snags a little morsel and practically inhales it.

Satana Hellstrom has posed:
     "I might have my ways. Sometimes people change their minds after particularly haunting dreams," she says, thinking about that. "Not always. But much of the time it scares them and they get all weird about "what if things happen in real life!" " she says. "So I might be able to do a favor for you in that regard."
     And OH! Chocolate. The succubus loves a good sweet treat, and she's happily nibbling away on her first three truffles, making a sound that definitely sounds too sexual to just be enjoying food.

Andi Benton has posed:
"What, you can make someone dream things? Like, being clean and not gross and stuff like that?" Andi asks, "Because I've had to tell Mania a bunch of times not to do anything that would get us in trouble." Might be something to consider, especially if it can't trace back to her.

As for the chocolate, she isn't delaying in getting through much of it. Minimal time is taken to really consider each piece before she's making short work of it. She pauses, an almost animal-like tilt of her head following at the sounds coming from Satana. "Are you all right?" Not that Mania isn't making similar sounds, just inside her own head for now.

Satana Hellstrom has posed:
     "I'd go the other direction," Satana says. "The point is to instill fear. Fear of what might happen if, say, things weren't so clean. We're eating, so I don't want to say anything too gross, but I'm sure you can imagine. "You want that man to think that his life will very much be over if he's not getting a shower. If he doesn't put on deodorant, well. Everything will go very, very badly. Really play it up," she says, working on her next little nosh. "Oh, I'm fine. This is just really, really good. It's been a sweet treat kind of week."

Andi Benton has posed:
Andi Benton looks over her hot chocolate while some of the methods are being explained. She really ought to say no, but instead she shrugs. "Sure..scare him, but don't hurt him. I guess. I mean, he's a creep, so I hope he's not into illegal stuff or anything, but I guess you'd be able to find out." So could Mania, for that matter, but..again, not tracing it back to her is good.

"Mmm, it is." In fact, a small tendril of inky black starts trying to snake out from under a sleeve near the wrist, angling for another piece of chocolate. Quickly and quietly, Andi hisses, "No! You're already getting some! We'll take more back with us!" It disobeys, wrapping around the piece before drawing it back within the sleeve where it disappears.

<<Mania>> Hee hee...
<<Andi>> You're pushing it!

Satana Hellstrom has posed:
     Satana cackles in delight, "Excellent. I do like to test my own skills. And it'll be fun. A creative exercise," she says. "But is someone else getting a little hungry?" she asks, watching that tendril work its way out. "I can give us a little more privacy, if you like. So she's not starving. Granted, definitely seems to have a mind of her own. Her, right? Or should I be just calling you both as one?" she considers.

Andi Benton has posed:
Andi Benton says nothing about what kind of trouble she might have just got her boss into. If he cleans himself up, that's a good thing. Right?

"More privacy, in here?" she asks, glancing around dubiously before she shrugs. "They..don't really have a gender, from what I know. They take after their hosts in some ways. And it's a bond. We're more like one whole..thing than not. It's complicated." And yet, while Andi is explaining it, Mania pilfers another piece, for whatever good it does.

Satana Hellstrom has posed:
     "Mmhm, the waiter won't notice a thing," Satana says as their next course seems to be arriving, more delicious treats and a fresh hot water for the redhead. "And we can't let your companion go hungry! We can just order more and a nice big box to take home," she decides. The waiter approaches, and Satana says, "You won't notice anything amiss about my friend. She's perfectly normal. Bring extra chocolate." The waiter looks a little stunned for a moment, like he's staring off into space, and nods, then goes back to smiling.

     "You ladies need anything else right now?" he asks.

Andi Benton has posed:
Andi Benton turns her attention from Satana to the waiter, then back again. "That was like some Jedi mind trick stuff, but for real. But what about the rest of them?" She jerks a thumb in the direction of other diners who are peering their way, leading to her raising a brow. "Maybe it'd be better to just get the rest to go."

Mania surely wouldn't mind that. Having to hide is understandable, but it's also no fun.

Satana Hellstrom has posed:
     "Most people don't notice things that don't concern them," she says. "Just put your chocolate in a napkin, put the napkin in your lap if your companion wants something," she says. "I don't know if it'd be a good idea for them to be all the way out... here, anyway... but most people just want to get on with their day and are only paying attention to themselves. But if you want to get a to go bag, perfectly understandable," Satana says. "I'm sure they box it up quite nicely here."

Andi Benton has posed:
Andi Benton shakes her head. "Nah. Sometimes I have to remind..Mania..about patience, and listening." So, she doesn't go forward with the napkin idea. There's a point to the teaching, to the idea that waiting can have benefits later.

"I think you draw a lot of attention, though. Whether you're trying to or not."

Satana Hellstrom has posed:
     "Fair enough," the demones say, "And I suppose I do. Just built that way. I can tone it down, but it's always just been an aspect of life. The whole thing is there to be a temptation. It might be nice not to be hit on so much, when I'm just trying to do things, but I can banish whoever I need to away from me," she admits.

Andi Benton has posed:
Andi Benton returns to snacking on the tasty morsels. So much safer than brains. "A lot of things are, uh, temptations," she remarks, squinting at the talk of banishment. "That's a little more than just a 'no.' We..ahh, my other half..whatever. It's still weird to talk about like that. Anyway, Mania is kind of tempted by a lot of things."

Satana Hellstrom has posed:
     "Well then, let's stay safe," Satana agrees, perhaps not feeling totally evil on this day. She relaxes back into her seat, just observing.