12407/Settling in at the Swordfish Bar

Settling in at the Swordfish Bar
Date of Scene:	12 August 2022
Location:	Swordfish Bar (SHIELD)
Synopsis:	Mary Jane, Red Sonja, and Silver Sable talk at the Swordfish.
Cast of Characters:	Mary Jane Watson, Silver Sablinova

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Mary Jane Watson has posed:
It's a night back from an assignment that had been going with a group doing a sewer sweep for a possible Hydra bioweapons facility. Intelligence had been wrong in the matter and they hadn't run into anything. A long, long shower later, uniform thrown in hte incinerator, Mary Jane is sitting over in the Swordfish while Sonja's laughing in her mind about the girl's inability to take such a thing.

Silver Sablinova has posed:
As Silver enters with the agent at her side, she gave a brief nod to the man. "Of course. Do let me know if you would like assistance in the future." It was the same agent she had been with her last time at this bar. After all, she wasn't a member of the erstwhile organization this particular speakeasy belonged to. However, they'd had a mutual target and had worked together to find him.

And now that he was in SHIELD custody, for her part in the capture, she'd be picking up a hefty bounty to add to S.S.I.'s coffers.

The agent had given her access one last time to the bar but he needed on his way, though he did stop to say her first round would be on his tab. Then he was off, greeting some of his friends.

Silver gave a quick scan of the room and spotted that familiar face. She moved toward Mary Jane's table. Dressed in white pants, a tank top, and that familiar trench coat. Even her boots were white. "Good evening." Her eastern European accent was obvious. She made sure no one was in earshot but still kept her voice down. "I hope you and Sonja are well."

Mary Jane Watson has posed:
Mary Jane Watson would glance over at Silver Sable, "Hello there, how are you doing? I'm sorry I haven't had the chance to take you up on your offer. Life has been a bit busy." A decontamination shower, a regular shower, then much time over with as close tos crubbing as she could get wihtout going raw. "Good to see you again. And you seem very relaxed. I hope that business has been well for yuo."
    Shew ould offer cheerfully over as Silver Sable would join her. "And things have been.. Reasonably well here." No having to face hordes of asgardian undead, not being sent into whatever the chaos is about wiht Felix Faust.. Life, for all it's trials and tribulations.. Is at least consistent!
    She seems relaxed, and relatively cheerful. Sonja has gone quiet.

Silver Sablinova has posed:
"Mmm." A rather non commital sound at the comment about business. "We got our man. However, not really much of a bounty for him. Just a couple of thousand U.S. dollars. But always good to foster positive relationships with law enforcement agencies so it will pay off in that way."

Silver puts her hand on a chair and starts to pull it out to sit then realizes she should be asking. "May I join you?"

Mary Jane Watson has posed:
Mary Jane Watson would nod, "So it didn't really cover your expenses but some things are worth it for things odwn the line?" The familiarity is there on Red's end for how the job often works. Though Mary Jane happens to think more of the art side of 'you'll get the attention from it'.
    "OF course, happy to have you with me. I hope that it leads to a long term better working rleationship."

Silver Sablinova has posed:
At the invite, Silver gives a smile and settles into her chair. She gives a nod at the statement. "It is far less than I usually get but again, contacts are more important than money in the right circumstances. And I do hope to foster a relationship with SHIELD that will be...mutually beneficial for both parties."

Careful phrasing that fits well though. She knows she has resources and skills that would be helpful to them. It's just a matter of them realizing it as well.

But she shifts conversation back to Mary Jane. "You said things have been reasonably well?"

Mary Jane Watson has posed:
Mary Jane Watson would smile, "Yes, I do think that you'd be great as a long term.. Associate. And I'd offer to recommend you but I don't think that I'd necessary get a lot of attention. I've only been a field agent for about a year." She would go to fold her hands together and smile.

"Yes. Missions are missions. I've not been in anything -really- bad. I did help capture a unicorn that ran away but that wasn't something official and it wasn't exactly threatening. I think it escaped from a carnival?"

Silver Sablinova has posed:
A server came over and Silver quickly gave her order then focused back on MJ as the server headed over to the bar. The explanation of what she'd been doing has Silver starting to smile a bit. Obviously amused. Then that smile fades as she tilts her head.

"You are serious." Because finding a unicorn didn't seem normal to her at all. Or possible. "From a carnival? So one a horse someone put a horn on then." Much more sense. Not real.

Mary Jane Watson has posed:
Mary Jane Watson would shake ehr head, "No, a unicorn. Apparently you don't need to be what the myth says about them to see one or interact wiht it. We live in a world of magic and mystery." She would shrug rather nonchalantly.
    "It was more frekaed than hostile so no one was gutted by it or run down."

Silver Sablinova has posed:
"Would be helpful it they could be trained to." Silver realized that came across a little dark. "Theoretically speaking. Would have been helpful in historical times for cavalry."

Silver shook her head a little bit. "I was not aware that unicorns were real. Some other creatures, certainly. It seems impossible. Though in a world of Atlanteans and gods acting as heroes, I suppose it should be more accepting of such things." She gave a nod to the server as her rocks glass was delivered with bourbon on ice. She took a small sip.

Mary Jane Watson has posed:
Mary Jane Watson would nod over at Silver, "Yes, I can imagine. Issue is getting them in large numbers to equip troops with. They tend to not be the most common so getting a few hundred of them in one place would be difficult. But I can imagine it would be effective if it did ever work."

She would nod over, "We're in a world of magic and fantasy. There's a place where dinosaurs roam free range. Why are unicorns anythign more surprising?"

Silver Sablinova has posed:
"Valid. I am not sure why but unicorns simply seem out of the realm of possibility for me. This said when I am talking to you, knowing you have another person from the past who shares your form. I know of trolls and dragons and vampires. A unicorn should not be a surprise."

Yet, it was. Silver shrugged but did make note of the information given. "Was it more equine in behavior or foreign?"

Mary Jane Watson has posed:
Mary Jane Watson would shrug, "I didn't spend a lot of time with it. I'd say more equine but at the point it was defensive and lashing out so that may not be normal. I was only around for a few minutes and it was mostly handled by others." What a world when wrangling unicorns escaped from the circus qualified for nonchalance.

She would grin. "So, what would you say are some of the more.. Unusual things you've had to take on in the field? If there are any that don't violate confidentiality of course."

Silver Sablinova has posed:
"Nothing too unusual. Trolls, vampires, werewolves. The usual."

Silver sips her bourbon again. It is top shelf. Which it would be either way, but the fact she isn't paying for it helped with her decision.

"I have not personally faced a dragon but I have heard stories. They are a rarity." Then she smirked a bit. "Though not as rare as a unicorn."

Mary Jane Watson has posed:
Mary Jane Watson would nod over and look distant, "Dragons are dangerous. Tricky. Going after them requires a lot of preparation and caution depending on the type. Fortunately a lot of them can be outmaneuvered easily and they can be pretty stupid."

Shew ould consider. "Also having normal munitions helps but it takes all the fun away."

Silver Sablinova has posed:
That earned a chuckle from Silver as she listened. "So you have fought one. Impressive. You will have to tell me the tale sometime. If it is not classified or violate some confidentiality agreement," she added, echoing sentiments MJ had used just a few moments ago.

"I am thinking perhaps your companion has also fought them at some point?"

Mary Jane Watson has posed:
There's a laugh, "I haven't, but she has." By that meaning her 'companion'. Techincally the huge beast at Loch Ness wasn't a dragon. It was a Nessie.
    "Sonja's fought a few. There are tactics you can use against them but they tend to require numbers."

Silver Sablinova has posed:
"Makes sense. To fight one alone would require serious planning, I suspect." It was a fun thought exercise as Silver thought about the possibilities. What tactics she would use. Weapons. But then she thought back to what Sonja had available in her day. "Particularly with the weapons available in her time, I would thing numbers would be the best approach. Perhaps the only approach. Tales of people alone slaying them are few and far between for reasons."

Mary Jane Watson has posed:
Mary Jane Watson would nod over, "It can be done, but such things are extremely rare and require an inordinate amount of planning, luck, and a low chance of survival. Even where she's from someone doing so is quite likely fully insane and it's all but impossible, even for the most powerful and crzed of warriors." Unless they're magic. Stupid wizards.

Silver Sablinova has posed:
For a moment, MJ might wonder if Silver is telepathic as she says, "Unless they use magic. Which in some way feels like it is cheating." Then she continues which may give away that she was just using her own mind here, not reading MJ's.

"While I can respect those who have the skill to use magic, I feel that being able to bend physics--or even reality--is simply a step beyond when planning to face that challenge."

Mary Jane Watson has posed:
Mary Jane Watson would nod over, "But in the end.. The results can matter. If you're looking to face a dragon with a degree of success and not lose a small army while doing so.. Then one looks for ways to cheat. While there is glory and honor.. One doesn't go into a fight without weighing down the odds as much as one can in their favor." She would smile.

"Which we both know. But yes, it's cheating." She would grin. Then giggle.

Silver Sablinova has posed:
"Valid. As long as I win, I am not sure it matters about honor and glory. After all, we work more in the results field."

Silver wasn't above shooting someone in the back, if their back was to her. Admittedly, not a lot of honor there. But at the same time, she had certain things she would not do. So it was a strange mix of honor and not.

Mary Jane Watson has posed:
Mary Jane Watson would nod, "Of course. What matters mostly is your reputation. There might not be much to gain in taking out someone relatively small, but it leads to better contracts down the line. And to maintain one's reputation they have to hold themselves to certain standards to get contracts."

Silver Sablinova has posed:
"In my experience, those who wish to hire our hunting services, to track down bounties, do not care how we achieve it. Just that we do. Then they spread that word to their friends and so forth."

Silver gives a little shrug and sips her bourbon. "Which circles back around to my hopes. My time in New York is being sent searching for a space to set up a branch of S.S.I.. Then there will be the time to set it up properly, refurbishing the space to be best utilized."

Mary Jane Watson has posed:
Mary Jane Watson would nod over at Silver, "Efficient. Depending on what you're after, ujnless you need it for marketing reasons having something outside of the city would be much cheaper, give you a lot more room to work with, and a lot less issues with zoning and risks of the place being leveled."

Silver Sablinova has posed:
"I wish it to be centralized. Though I recognize it will be costly, it will be of value in time. Very often, we have had to come to this area to track our bounties. It will allow us to keep teams here, instead of the expense of traveling each time. The manpower and equipment gets quite costly."

She finished off her drink then pushed the glass over to the edge of the table so it would be easier for the server to pick up in their travels around the room.

Mary Jane Watson has posed:
Mary Jane Watson would nod over at Silver, "You could commute into the city pretty easily or take a helicopter in. But fair enough. Quick access will make getting places take less time so long as cost isn't a major issue." But with real estate prices who could know?

She would lean back in and smile. "I could ask around the Triskelion, someone might have some ideas on where you could setup."

Silver Sablinova has posed:
"If the building suffers damages, that is what insurance is for, no?" Silver returns. Because rates in those areas that often get leveled have sky high rates, while the rest of the city just has high. Not sky high.

"I have several prospects lined up. It is a matter of choosing. Though if your friends have suggestions, I would not be adverse to checking out other properties."

Mary Jane Watson has posed:
Mary Jane Watson would laugh, "YEs, I suppose so." SHe would smile, "I'll see what I can find out. Please don't wait on me if you have any rpomising leads. I only know a few people that would have a head on real estate and I don't interact wit them often so I might not be able to ask them."

Silver Sablinova has posed:
"There is also that business..." Silver's voice faded off and she had that furrowed brow as she tried to remember. Then the lightbulb went off and she nodded. "Damage Control. They will also assist in rebuilding should the business be damaged. It seems a win-win situation."

Then she purses her lips slightly and shakes her head. "I wish I had thought of that idea for a business, had I been from this area. Such a large amount of money to be made."

Mary Jane Watson has posed:
Mary Jane Watson would laugh, "Yes, they seem to do a very good business. I think if you bought stock at their IPO you'd be richer than Stark and Wayne are together. They rebuilt all of Manhattan in like a week last time it was invaded." They have the tools, they have the talent.

"So, beyond being a professional mercenary looking to expand to a permanent facility here in New York, what do you do for fun?"

Silver Sablinova has posed:
There is a moment where Silver looks confused. It passes quickly hidden behind that mask of neutrality. But MJ would've had the moment to see it. The blonde considered for long moments.

"I work. I train. I do not do things for fun. I suppose at times I will have dinner out but that is the extent. I am not one to sit around watching Netflix nor reading books. Embroidery is not in my field of interest. I do not cook." She gave a shrug.

Mary Jane Watson has posed:
Mary Jane Watson would nod over at Silver as she would evaluate, picking it up. "I can understand. I will note that humans are highly social creatures and that these sorts of interactions are designed to help foster a sense of camraderie. So small events done for personal enjoyance can be quite effective at helping form them."

Continuing on, "And stimulating endorphin centers on a long term basis, which can lead to a more relaxed mental state. And I've never tried to embroider. My Aunt does crossstitch and quilting. I stab my fingers whenever I so much as take up a needle with or without thread or yarn."

Silver Sablinova has posed:
There is another shrug from Silver. "I have not found my happiness lacking. I socialize with people at work. Or in social situations. I have a membership at the Hellfire Club, European branch. Though I have recently introduced myself to the local branch," she added. "Though this is more for connections." Thus, wasn't for fun. But work.

"My training is pleasurable. Fencing. Combat. Rock climbing." Which she had gotten to do recently here in NYC.

Mary Jane Watson has posed:
Mary Jane Watson would smile, "Fair enough. Then it sounds like things are settled for you." She would smile over at Silver. "And I've heard things about the Hellfire Club." Her expression is more of a cautious sort of nature to it. "Had someone once offer to pay me to go as thier arm candy. I passed." She would lean back.

"Was going to offer to take you clubbing but that sounds liek not your speed."

Silver Sablinova has posed:
"The Hellfire Club reputation is well earned. The place is a den of decadence. However, you have choices. For example, some women choose to dress scantily when in attendance. I wear normal clothing and will continue to do so. They are a means to an end. I have found many interesting people there."

At mention of clubbing, Silver has to smile and shake her head negatively. "No, it is not my speed. Though I appreciate the offer. I fear I would become annoyed and punch someone in the throat which would truly upset the joy of the evening."

Mary Jane Watson has posed:
Mary Jane Watson would mm over and just shake her head, "I'm not the type of girl there htat can get away with that and I definitely wouldn't want to be seen there." She would note over dryly. "And there are clubs where, in fact, the brawl is part of the appeal. Believe me, Sonja has been to several. So if you want to join us next time we go when she gets bored.."

Silver Sablinova has posed:
"I will consider though in truth, it is unlikely." Silver didn't want to mislead. But it wasn't something that really held appeal to her either. After all, a bar room brawl likely wasn't going to be something Silver considered challenging.

Her hubris was strong. It's why she personally faced any recruits in a sparring match before she would hire them to S.S.I.. "Admittedly, the main appeal is to see her in action. I am curious about her fighting style since it is based in the past instead of the tactics of the present."

Mary Jane Watson has posed:
She was up front on it and what her offer was. And Silver was quite fine with directly declining and stating why. Mary Jane would nod, "How she fights and how she's allowed to engage are often two entirely different things. Ther'es how she prefers to operate and what normal rules of engagement are. We're.. Still coming to an understanding on use of lethal force."

Silver Sablinova has posed:
"You had mentioned something of that sort. That you try to curb her tendencies?" Silver phrases it as a question, wanting to be certain she understands it fully.

"I presume she does not use karate or Krava Maga. Less formal, more primal?"

Mary Jane Watson has posed:
Mary Jane Watson would nod and take a moment, "She's a very aggressive fighter and her style normally involves putting a lot of power and speed into ehr attacks. She tends to fight through crowds in melee and she's rather fond of disemboweling strikes and she's strong enough to cleanly cut through someone."

Silver Sablinova has posed:
"I suspected swords and knives. Perhaps even spears." Silver grinned a little. "The pointy things in life. I was more curious without but honestly, it does not matter."

She caught sight of the server and nodded, glancing to her drink. It was enough and a moment later, she had a fresh glass. She'd have to pay for this one but it was good bourbon. "Power and speed can make up for the lack of size. It is a good tactic against a larger opponent. Though, I am curious. In her time, how tall was Sonja?"

Mary Jane Watson has posed:
Mary Jane Watson would nod, "Spears she likes. Just she tends to go in a lot of melees so once you're at close range and heavily outnumbered a spear isn't as useful. Most people don't think of them so kudos." She would offer over for a moment to consider the question.

"Taller than I am. A lot more muscle mass. She was.. Supernaturally strong and fast."

Silver Sablinova has posed:
"Do you channel that when she takes over your form? Or was it lost with her original body in the past?" Silver asks curiously. "Since as mentioned, magic cheats. I have seen her take over, so I know you do not alter outwardly in a physical way. But I was unsure if you might gain that supernatural strength and speed."

She sipped her bourbon, watching MJ over the rim of the glass as she did so.

Mary Jane Watson has posed:
Mary Jane Watson would shake her head, "I have some of it. Not as much as she did. She finds it.. Annoying. I tell her she can hardly be as great a warrior as she claims if she can't adapt to something so simple a change."

She would consider how to demonstrate.. "It's innate to her, and somewhat to me. I'm.. Stronger and faster than a normal person, but not by that much."

Silver Sablinova has posed:
At that point there was a buzz from Silver's pocket. She pulled out her phne and sighed. "So much for the bourbon." She dropped a fifty on the table to cover for the bourbon and anything MJ was drinking as well probably.

"Sorry, have an op going sideways. I need to go." She rose to her feet, straightening her trenchcoat as she did so. "Until the next time. A pleasure seeing you again, Mary Jane."