1442/Can You Buy Karma A Present

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Can You Buy Karma A Present
Date of Scene: 29 April 2020
Location: Pearl River Mart
Synopsis: Kitty gets a lesson in bartering from Colleen, followed by Chinese takeout leftovers.
Cast of Characters: Kitty Pryde, Colleen Wing




Kitty Pryde has posed:
Kitty finds herself in Chinatown today, in the Pearl River Market. She makes her way slowly through the wide variety of goods for sale. The brunette lingers for a bit in the aisles with the different foods imported from China, but it seems to be more curiosity than her destination as she keeps moving before long, only picking up a bag of ginger chews, and moving over into an area that has lighting.

Kitty pauses to look at strings of paper lanterns, reaching up to turn one about and set it in motion. She's wearing a pair of jeans and a long-sleeve mock turtleneck, something not too hot yet warm enough for later in the day when the temperature starts to drop. Her hair is pulled back in a ponytail, but with a lot of brown strands left hanging free of it whether intended, or maybe they've just escaped over the course of the day.

Colleen Wing has posed:
Pearl River Market. A place Colleen finds herself quite often when time permits. Many times she does not even purchase anything, simply choosing to walk through the market and look at the same stuff she always looked at. Truth be told, it was time out of her dojo in an atmosphere that brought back some memories from her time back in Japan. It also provided her a chance to practice her Chinese with the vendors. It is that very reason she in the market today, in a slow conversation with an elderly woman selling specialized teas right beside the paper lanterns. It is quite clear that her Chinese is beginner at best, as her hand gestures try to make up for her lack of language.

After some apparent bartering, the elderly woman picks up a bag of special Oolong from behinder her and hands it to her. "Xie Xie." Her eyes then turn to the turning of one of the paper lanterns beside her, noticing the young brown haired woman. "Beautiful arn't they. Those are the cheap ones, the nicer ones are.." She gestures to other side of the Market and overs a smile. "Walk with me...I'll show you. Totally worth it."

Kitty Pryde has posed:
Kitty glances over as she hears Colleen speak to her. "Yes, they are beautiful," she says. "Oh, are there nicer ones?" Kitty repeats, glancing over towards where Colleen gestured. "Thank you, I'd appreciate that," Kitty replies as she moves as if ready to follow Colleen where she leads.

"Looking for a present for my friend Xi'an. Something for her room at school," Kitty says as she falls into step with Colleen. "She did me a kindness lately and thought this might be a nice way to show my appreciation for it," she says, slipping her hands into the back pockets of her jeans as she walks. "I'm Kitty," she offers after a moment, along with her hand she has to pull back out of her pockets so Colleen can get at it. "First time in here but someone else recommended it. I'm amazed at the selection," she says, glancing around the plentiful goods that the place has for sale and barter.

Colleen Wing has posed:
Colleen naviagates the market with a usual ease as she makes her way towards the nice lanterns. Her red converse shoes pad their way through the crowded ways, side-stepping patrons as they look upon the numerous wares to be offered. Her hand not carrying the tea is pulled from thr pocket of her ripped jeans reaching out to shake Kity's. "Colleen." Another smile is given as she brushes a strand of hair from her face. "A gift. Got it. Alright Kitty, let me tell you the secret of a Chinese Market. It's all about the bartering. Look around...you can find many vendors selling the same exact thing. Now, what a tourist or someone new ot the market does not realize is...you should never take the first offer."

Colleen pauses next to a man selling colorful Chinese banners, depitcing writing and dragons upon them. "How much? Her words are spoken in English. The man repies. "15 Dollars." Colleen mock winces and shakes her head slowly. "The man over there is selling them for ten." She then turns her back and whispers to Kitty out of the side of her mouth. "Now start to walk away..." Her footsteps slowly start to walk as she softly counts. "3..2.." The man calls out. "I do 8."

A smile is given as she pauses in her walk and spins back around. "8 it is." The money is handed over and the banner taken, then handed to Kitty. "Gift one. Half off. Your next..hope you paid attention." The young woman is given a wink.

Kitty Pryde has posed:
Kitty Pryde shakes Colleen's hand and follows the Japanese young woman over to the stall, giving a small nod of agreement and understanding about the bartering. She does her part to help out, looking at the man's banner but with an expression as if not quite sure it's what they are looking for.

Afterwards as they step away with the discounted item, Kitty flashes a grin over to Colleen. "We're all so used to just having a price you pay," she admits thoughtfully as she glances around at some of the other sellers, then back to Colleen. The Japanese girl's warm way brings out a smile from Kitty. "Any advice on the lanterns? I know colors can be meaningful but I didn't know if they would in the context of the lanterns," she asks.

Kitty looks about at some of the stalls, spotting one up ahead that has festive looking strings, something small enough to be nice decoration for a dorm room.

Colleen Wing has posed:
"To the Chinese, colors mean everything. For instance. Red is the color of good fortune and joy. So go with red. She will certainly like that the best. Never go with blue. Blue signifies a decrease in energy or sickness. If you see a blue lantern hanging outside someone home, stay away. They are letting you know disease is inside." She continues to follow where Kitty is walking, nodding to a few of the vendors who apparently know her. "Good Afternoon Mr. Tang..." Yet she keeps walking.

"Now my Chinese is not all that great, but I can tell you this. Fu' is a symbol of good luck and fortune. That would be good. Lu'..career success whch can lead to abundance. Shou'...that is for a long and healthy life. Usually given at birthdays. However, if you really want to give her something nice...we need to look for shuangxi. That means dobule happiness. I mean they usually use that for weddings, but whatever."

As they approach the lanters, Colleen's eyes scan them looking for the symbols in Chinese. "ALright..the two on the left are Fu. That one on the far right is a Lu. Um, let me see...Shou' next to that and there is one shuangxi right behind his head in the back." She bites her lower lip. "At least I think I am right. Your friend is fluent isn't she?"

Kitty Pryde has posed:
Kitty listens closely, giving little nods at appropriate moments. "I'm afraid I don't speak any Chinse," Kitty tells the other young woman, before saying in very fluent Japanese with almost no accent, "The closest I know is Japanese, though not as much use in this part of the area," Kitty says of the Asian enclave within New York City, but the market being more specifically tied to China.

The explanation of the lanterns and the words upon them gets a little nod from Kitty. "Oh yes, she's definitely fluent," Kitty replies of the friend she's buying the gift for. "Alright, I'll give it a go."

Kitty steps up to the stall and looks over the various lanterns. "I was looking for gift ideas for a Chinese friend," she says. Kitty gets a speculative but hesitant look as she examines the lanterns. "I don't know if something like that would work well or not," she says aloud thoughtfully as she examines the different lanterns.

Colleen Wing has posed:
There is no effort to hide the the suprised look Kitty gets when she speaks in fluent Japanase to Colleen. I mean let's be honest, young American looking woman speaking in perfect Japanese out of the blue is a bit shocking and certainy was not expected. She responds in her native tongue. "You speak Japanese? That..that was not expected. We so need to hang out more." Back to the task at hand as she steps back and let's Kitty negotiate. "Well she will tell you right away if I am wrong, but I am pretty confident."

The man immediatley catches Kitty's words and moves quickly over to her, speaking with his hands in an animated fashion, his English is okay, but certainly accented. "Oh it works very well. Very well. Best lanterns. Guarantee. I give you good price. Tell me what you like." Colleen continues to watch, reaching back to throw her hair into a ponytail with a band from her wrist a small smirk on her face. However, she does say softly in Japanese. "Play the game Kitty."

"The vendor watches Kitty a moment and sensing her potential inexperience. "20 dollars. Done. You walk away happy."

Kitty Pryde has posed:
The Jewish teen gives a quick nod at the question and surprised look from Collen. "I have had an opportunity or two to spend some time there," Kitty says, "Though not really time to relax and enjoy it like I'd have liked." She breaks out in a big smile and tells Colleen in Japanese, along with a charmed laugh, "I'd love to hang out more," she agrees, before turning them to head over to the stall with the lanterns to talk to the vendor.

"I'm not quite sure, her room is kind of well lit already," Kitty says. "Though the writing is very pretty. Though I saw some other lanterns over there that were only $13. And they had... Colleen, what was that one symbol called that I liked? Shuan... shuangxi?" Kitty says, intentionally stumbling over the word before looking back to the vendor. "He had this red shuangxi one for $13," she tells the man.

Colleen Wing has posed:
Ah the student has become the master. Colleen is simpy watching, trying to hide her smile on her lips, turning her head to do so. There is another soft side murmur in Japanese. "That's it, reel him in." She turns back to the two in their verbal sparring match. Who says all battles are fought with weapons.

"13? He say 13? Oh my lanterns are better. You stay here. You want Shuangxi? I have Shuangxi. Right here." Her turns behind him and pulls down a beautiful red lantern with the Shuangxi pattern upon it. "I do 12 for you. 12 Dollars, I give to you." He extends the lantern out to her as if the deal has already been decided on. It is then that a small coughing can be heard, masking a Japanese number. "Juu." It is clear to Kitty that she is telling her to ask for ten.

Kitty Pryde has posed:
Kitty Pryde seems to consider the lantern. "Oh you do have that one too? Well, that helps a little. I'm still not sure if a lantern is the right thing for her though," Kitty says speculatively. She turns and glances around and spots a beautiful collection of porcelain tea cups. "Oh, those cups look nice. She definitely enjoys her tea," Kitty says as she looks over at the cups in admiration.

She slowly turns back towards the lamps, head doing a little side to side, not quite sure bobbing gesture. "I guess... tell you what, make it $10 and I'll go with the lantern?" Kitty offers to the man. "And I'll be sure to tell her where the stall is of the nice man I got them from," she says to him, the pretty teen flashing the man a charming smile as if very grateful for his help.

Colleen Wing has posed:
The man ponders a moment, not seeming to give in so easily, and then he throws her a curveball. "Tell you what. You do 15 I throw in teacup you looking at. 5 dollar teacup. Both 15. You friend be very very happy. Sip tea and look at lantern all day." He reaches for the cup to put it in his other hand. It is not as if he is looking to make more money, but more so to jusitfy agreeing to her ten dollars. "

If she were to look over her shoulder, Kitty would see Colleen shrugging carelessly with a smile as if to say.../not too bad/." The man continues to extend the items towards Kitty. "Tell you what...you like tea? I do two tea cups and lantern for 18. You drink tea with friend." Colleen actually turns her head to hide her smirk, stifling a small laugh.

Kitty Pryde has posed:
Kitty manages to look over to Colleen without being too obviously, but schooled enough to not let anything into her expression as she does so. She looks back as he pulls out a tea cup like the one she was looking at in the other stall. The Jewish teen picks it up, handling it carefully as she looks it over.

"Hmm, both?" she says to herself as if perhaps the man has gone a little higher than she was looking to spend for the gift. Kitty's head bobs side to side in thought and she appears to consider the offer, before finally countering with, "$17 for the lantern and the two tea cups, and you take a picture with me for my friend. Deal?" she asks, offering her hand to him to shake on it. She pulls out her phone and starts turning on the camera, as if it's a done deal.

Colleen Wing has posed:
Oh the xpression on the vendor's face is one of frustration and yet admiration all rolled into one. There is a moment of silence, more so for dramtaic effect and he extends his had to the young girl. "You have deal. Two cups. Lantern and photo 17 dollars. We all happy. You drive hard bargain. You shop here again." He motions for her to come over behind his counter for a good photo, puffing his chest out and moving his hand over the top of his head as if to fix his hair. "You stand here. This my good side. No tell my wife. She get jealous, take photo with you." He laughs lightly obviously enjoying the attention from someone like Kitty.

Colleen is dying. Like dying. Turn away so you can't see her laughing dying. However, she does turn back to watch the photo being taken. She had just cime here to roam the vendors, buy some tea and make small talk...and now her new found friend just became best buddies with Mr. Wu.

Kitty Pryde has posed:
Kitty's usual demeanor is fairly warm and friendly in the best of times. And she turns that up for him. "I can see why, you must have women stopping at your stall all the time," she says to the man as she leans over with him to be in the frame and then takes the selfie with him.

Kitty pulls out her money to complete the transaction, taking the items from him once he's bundled them up for her. "Thank you so much. I'll definitely be back when I come out this way again," she tells him with a warm smile. Kitty turns back to join Colleen then, looping an arm through her newfound friend's if allowed. "That was fun," she says, grinning as they move away from the stall. "Thank you for the advice! Quite different than shopping in stores here, that's for sure," she says. "So do you live around here somewhere, or just in the area shopping?" Kitty asks.

Colleen Wing has posed:
"Oh many woman. Yes. Women always come see Mr. Wu. Pretty women like you." The items are bundled up perfectly and the money taken and pocketed in a faded leather fanny pack, and then he is moving on to the next customer. "Oh pretty lady...what can Mr. Wu do for you?"

The arm loop is certainly accepted, walking arm and arm with Kitty through the Market. "You...were...amazing. Now you know how to work the market. Never ever pay full price." Her arm looped, she quickly navigates with small tugs her friend through the crowded market. "I do. I do not live far from here actually. Wonderful place in the most wonderful part of Chinatown." She may be able ot sense the sarcasm in her tone. "Have you ever wandered lost to Monroe street...the Chikara Dojo? Yeah...I live there. Well not /in/ the dojo itself, but just off it. My bed is next to my couch..begging the more than often trouble of deciding where I want to watch TV. I have a kitchen and a bathroom..and...well I could give you a tour if you wanted. It might take..4 seconds if you don't spend to much time in the bathroom."

Kitty Pryde has posed:
The pair walk through the stalls, Kitty eyeing this and that. "A lot of great things here. Makes me wish I had a job," she says with a soft laugh. "Except for the whole having to spend my time at work instead of doing what I'd like. Not quite ready to give that freedom up yet, you know?" she comments.

As Colleen fills in Kitty on her situation, Kitty smiles and tells the Japanese girl, "Well, if you would like some company, I wasn't really planning on the tea cups. How about if we go break them in, and they can be a gift to you for helping me with the shopping?"

Kitty pulls out the bag of ginger chews she got earlier, tearing the corner off to open it and offering some over to Colleen if she'd like. "Or if you're busy, no problem. I'm just kind of wandering the city at the moment though. Won't take a bus back home until later."

Colleen Wing has posed:
"Oh I know all to well. Luckily, my job is doing something that I enjoy. Don't have a lot of family and friends for that matter, so my students kind of keep me happy. I make a difference, you know. A lot of them would end up in a gang if they did not have some safe place to go after school and someone who care about them." She shoulder nudges Kitty. "Well, I did just buy some tea...and you just bought two tea cups. I mean, woud be foolish if we didn't, wouldn't we?"

As the giner chews are offered she reaches over with her free hand and takes one, popping it in her mouth and /mmm'ing/. "These are my favorite. I can already tell we are going to have to hang out more. Polish off a bag of those." Colleen guides her out of the market and into the brightness of the street, looking over to her. "There is no way I am letting you roam Chinatown by yourself. No offense...but you kind of stand out. You know the whole pretty white girl thing who looks lost." She wavs her free hand in her direction with her words.

Colleen guides her through the streets, walking her in no time at all to the front of the dojo. "Don't worry it looks alittle better on the inside I promise." The green door opened, the pair will ascend the stairs, opening into the large dojo area after unlocking another door. "Feel free to look around, just leave your shoes by the door."

Kitty Pryde has posed:
"Ah, so you run the dojo?" Kitty asks, apparently not have made the assumption when Colleen mentioned she lived next to it. "Wow, that is a great job though. A lot better than sitting in a cubicle somewhere working with spreadsheets," the brunette teen says as they make their way through Chinatown towards the dojo.

Kitty lets out a soft laugh at the comment about her standing out. She waggles a finger with a good-natured expression. "Ok, I'd give you a hard time over the 'looks lost' part. I don't look lost! Do I?" she says, but then waves it off and says, "But you made tons of points with the 'pretty white girl' part so we'll let the rest slide," Kitty says, still grinning. She offers over more of the ginger treats as they head over to the dojo.

Kitty is already slipping out of her shoes as Colleen starts to make the statement. "Wow, really nice space," Kitty says, walking barefoot across the floor and over to look at some of the equipment available. "What styles do you teach?" Kitty inquires as she takes her time looking the place over.

Colleen Wing has posed:
Her own shoes are slipped off as well, removing her angkle socks and slipping them inside. Barefeet pad as well across the floor as she motions to the weapons on the walls and racks. She finishes chewing one of the ginger treats before speaking. "Feel free to touch anything you want, it is all student friendly, you won't be able to hurt yourself...that bad." She walks over beside her new friend, taking a wooden practice sword off the wall and offers it to her. "All Japanese style here. Karate, Jujutsu, Kempo and Kenjutsu. Kenjutsu is the art of Japanese swordplay. I assure you, if you ever want to learn that...you will not find a better place to learn it. There, my shamless plug."

She slowly reaches out and takes the shopping bag from Kitty if allowed. "I am going to put this in my penthouse and start the water for the tea. Feel free to whack that practice dummy a few times if you want, a great stress reliever." She winks and makes her way to the living space behind the sliding door, leaving the door open and leaning against the doorframe when returning. "Are you hungry Kitty? I think I have some leftover takeout I could heat up. I promise I dont eat out of the carton...okay sometimes but only if the dishes are piled up in the sink and I just cannot drag myself to do them."

Kitty Pryde has posed:
Kitty is looking over the weapons on the wall, when Colleen offers the practice sword to her. "Ah, thank you," she says, taking it and holding it with both hands, one on the hilt, the other on the blade so it rests across her hands as she looks it over. She gives it a little bounce as if feeling how heavy it is.

The offer of food gets a grateful look and a hungry sound from Kitty. "Oh I'm famished. If it wouldn't be imposing at all," Kitty says of the food. She lets out a warm laugh at the talk of eating from the carton. "I'll trust you at least don't have anything communicable then," Kitty says in a joking tone as she smiles at Colleen.

Kitty looks to the practice dummy that Colleen gestures towards. The brunette hesitates a moment then walks over towards it slowly. She looks back over her shoulder at Colleen, smiling to her, and takes the sword in hand and just gives the dummy a gentle, tentative-looking whack.

Colleen Wing has posed:
"Communicable? I don't think so. I mean every so often I might display symptoms of Raging Bitch Syndrome, but I do not think it is contagious. It is usually triggered by stupidity." Her eyes fall to the young woman as she takes the sword in hand, seemingly surveying how she grips and holds it. She has no idea if Kitty has any backgorund with the weapon at all. When Kitty lightly hits the practice dummy, she raises a brow and shrugs. "Alright. Now you can kiss it after that love tap." Her light laughter fills the dojo. "Go on, hit it. There must be some boy who upset you..picture him."

Her barefeet pad across the floor to go stand closer to Kitty. "Look at me, encouraging aggression." She gingerly reaches out and once again if allowed takes the sword from Kitty. "Come on...we have some gourmet food to microwave and some tea to drink." She puts the sword back on the rack and her hand is offered to Kitty. If taken, she will be walked over to the living space. "Please don't judge me. You can sit on the couch...or if you move over a foot you could actually sit on the bed."

Kitty Pryde has posed:
Soft, warm laughter fills the space of the dojo as Colleen suggests that Kitty kiss the practice dummy after the gentleness of her hit. Kitty moves over to slide an arm companionably around the vaguely humanlike figure of the practice target. "Well, you know, after that whole back-and-forth with the sexy vendor guy? I might just be worked up for that," Kitty says before breaking out in a big grin.

There wasn't anything particular about Kitty's grip to suggest familiarity with the weapon. She just kind of took hold of it and the gentleness of the whack on the dummy would be appropriate for someone who might not be sure if she'd break either if she let loose. Or that's how it appeared anyway.

Kitty relinquishes the weapon and then holds up her hands. "No judging shall go on here," Kitty says. She follows up it up with a Japanese proverb spoken in its native language. "Better than a banquet somewhere else is a good cup of tea and a bowl of rice at home," she says with a smile to Colleen.

Kitty follows along, looking approvingly at the dojo and then the pair stepping into the private living area. "It's cute," Kitty says as she looks around. She waves a hand vaguely towards a corner up nearer to the ceiling. "Could use some red lanterns," she says, breaking out in a grin.

Colleen Wing has posed:
As they enter the living space, Colleen looks over to Kitty and in a joking tone expresses. "You know he's single. My practice dummy. He does not get out much and could use a little positive attention. I can give you your number. Just leave it when you go. I'll make sure he calls." A shoulder nudge is given, maybe even perhaps knocking Kitty sideways a bit.

"Cute. That's the first time I have heard that before. I have heard..cozy..cramped..cluttered...I mean I guess cute follow the /C/ pattern." She looks to the corner where Kitty has suggested a red lantern go. "You know I think it could. I might have to go back to the market and haggle Mr. Wu. I might have as much luck as you did, but I think I might end up leaving with two more tea cups." She notions to the couch or the bed. "Sit where you want..I won't judge you." She moves to take the two tea cups out of the bag and places some of the recently bough oolong into the cup, awaiting the water.

The young woman removes her coat and tosses it on one of the two chairs at her small table, she is wearing a white tank-top beneath it, and moves to the fridge, taking out four cartons of take-out. "Don't judge me. It was a long day yesterday and when its a long day you get four cartons of takeout."

Kitty Pryde has posed:
Kitty moves over, bare feet sticking out from the bottom of her jeans, and takes a seat over on the couch. She says with a grin of the practice dummy. "Hey, I've dated worse." After, a little softer, "Certainly one as outgoing and forward," with a bit of a frustrated exhalation.

Kitty spots some paper and a pen and jots down something on it. "There, in case he asks about me," Kitty says, passing her number over. "Maybe he's got a friend over at the department store and we could double together?" the teen offers with a suggestive little eyebrow wiggling and a grin.

Kitty waves her hand towards Colleen's statement about the takeout. "Why order three when you can order four?" Kitty asks. "But, the question," she continues slowly, and with a considering look towards Colleen, "Is whether you paid menu price for it, or haggled it down?"

Colleen Wing has posed:
Colleen has found someone with her sense of humor and sarcasm. It was not a side many people got to see, but there was something about Kitty that put her guard down a bit, something she could not put a finger on, but was not going to question. "Oh there is a hot looking one in the window at Wangs Discount. I may have to take you up on that offer. Seems a little silent...but that may be a good thing."

The food is emptied out onto a plate, and the first goes into the microwave as the tea kettle starts to whistle. "Multi-tasking, I have become quite good at it." She pours the tea one of the cups and walks over, handing it to Kitty where she sits. "Ah your next lesson little grasshopper, never haggle food. You never know if they are going to spit in it." She winks and sticks her tongue out to heer new friend, pivoting on her barefoot and walking to the beeping mircowave. "Chopsticks or a fork..or both? You know for those foods you just cannot seem to pick up. Look..I am Japanese born and raised and I still have trouble with the rice."% She prepares the other plate and walks Kitty's over to her, setting it down on the table before the couch, looking down at the number and pulling out her phone. "You are going to get a text from me...right...now." The text would flash through to her phone: Your Japanese Bestie.

Kitty Pryde has posed:
The Jewish girl gestures towards Colleen after the Japanese girl shares that nugget of wisdom about haggling food. "Sensei," she says, bowing her head with a smile as if admitting to the young woman's wisdom in the matter.

Kitty takes the offered cup with a grateful, "Arigatogozaimashita," telling Colleen that she thanks her very much for the tea.

Kitty crosses one leg over the other on the couch, her foot bouncing lightly as she says, "Whichever you prefer. Have used them enough to be good with them. Though if the rice isn't in a bowl it's difficult," she agrees.

Kitty pulls out her phone and grins at the text. She taps away on it, no doubt entering Colleen in as a contact, mumbling to herself, "Colleen... Wing... Chikara Dojo... cute Japanese ninja... great haggler." She hits save and then puts the phone away. She must have caught the last name on one of the Dojo's pamphlets or something.

"So, tell me about him. This hot mannequin you've had your eye on," Kitty says with a smile before taking a sip of the tea. "And does he have any competition? If there's going to be a mannequin fight, I definitely want to film it for my youtube account," she says.

Colleen Wing has posed:
The beeping of the microwave signifies that her food is done and she grabs her own plate and her teacup, briniging over the forgotten utensils. The fork and chopsticks are set down on her plate, nope no bowls here. "Please. I hear Sensei all day long. Sometimes I forget what my actual name is. I write it down repeatedly ten times before I go to sleep every night to make sure I remember it. Yeah...I don't get out much." She settles in on the couch next to Kitty, pulling her feet up in front of her and turning to face the Jewish girl. Chopsticks pick up some beef and it finds its way to her mouth, chewing softly. "Cute Japanese Ninja and great haggler? I so need to put that in my dating profile." She winks and continues. "You are a perceptive little thing Ms. Meow Meow, my catching my last name like that. I may have understimated your value." She laughs softly and reaches for her tea.

"Where to start. Well..like I said he does not say much and he is missing arms. But cuddling is overrated. I mean honestly. Just let me roll over and go to sleep. Um, let me see. He is dressed well. Changes his outfit weekly, but who am I to judge. And he doesn't look at other woman..cuz he has no real eyes. Winner." She tries to grab sime rice with the chopsticks. "Come here you..." One piece grabbed and she has pride. That one grain is brought to her mouth.

She then sets them down and moves to grab her phone once more, opening her contacts and smiling over at Kitty, nibbling her lower lip. "Alright, let me see. Cat Emoji. Cute Jewish Girl. Hit's like a girl. Gets me."

Kitty Pryde has posed:
Kitty takes the plate and holds it with one hand up nearer to her chest so there isn't as far to go with the chopsticks to her mouth. She breaks out in soft, warm giggles at the description of the mannequin. "How sad is it that that actually sounded like a better candidate than most guys I've met?" she asks with a little laugh and a shake of her head.

The young woman can't help but grin softly at the description that she's given in the phone. "Hit's like a girl? I /am/ a girl," Kitty says, glancing down at herself and gesturing. She has a dancer's physique, but actually one can detect a bit of an athletic tone to her, with the mock turtleneck fitting her a little snuggly as it is. That slope from narrow waist up to her shoulders that speaks of someone in rather top shape even if the garment mostly hides it.

Kitty motions towards the door that leads to the Dojo itself. "So how did you get into all of this, anyway?" she asks. "And no, I don't think just because you're Japanese that everyone is into martial arts there," she says with a faint smile.

Colleen Wing has posed:
"Tell me about it. Most guys want one thing...well two things. One being the obvious and the other being food. And well, I seem to have both, even if one is takeout. The food, the food is takeout." The tea is reached for again and she takes a small sip, exhaling softly, her eyes taking in the full figure of the woman across from her. "Well obviously you are a girl. Not many guys ever make it to this couch. I mean look at it, the bed is like a foot away, what kind of message does that send?" Chopsticks in hand again she reaches for a piece of chicken, waving it front of Kitty. "How did I get into this. Well I used to be a hardcore meth dealer during the day and sold myself at night." She pauses a moment and let's that sink in, trying to keep a straight face. She cannot and starts laughing, reaching out with her free hand to lightly tap Kitty in the shoulder. "I am messing with you. It was crack and I never sold myself, I gave it away." Another wink.

"Seriously tho..when I was young my mother was killed. Long story. Will get into that the next time you come over..cuz you are. Anyhow. I was sent to live with my grandfather in Honshu. My mother's side comes from a long line of Samurai. So, my grandfather decided from when I was...5 or so..my training would start. Oh yeah...little toddler of terror. Fast Forward..stuff happens. I end up in NYC. My dad is here. We don't talk. ANother long story..another visit."

The next part she pauses on, not wishing to reveal everything. Does Kitty need to know Bakuto gave her the dojo to recruit for the hand? Nope. "A friend of mine...in order to help me survive here gifted me this space to start a dojo and a place to live. But seriously..if I was not Japanese I would probbably be folding shirt at American Eagle."

Kitty Pryde has posed:
Kitty pulls out her phone and unlocks it and mimes as if she's typing something into it as she murmurs to herself. Tap-tap-tap, "cute Japanese ninja meth dealer..."

She grins and puts her phone away, not having actually put that into it. Kitty holds up her hands after. "Hey, I told you. Not going to judge," Kitty reminds Colleen, her eyes twinkling with the humor that Colleen injects into their conversation.

That amused light turns into something gentler. Sympathetic as Colleen speaks of losing her mother when she was young. Kitty continues to listen quietly, nodding at various points, confirmation she's listening. "That was nice of the friend," she says. "And it looks like you're doing good things with it, too." Kitty waggles a finger, "Not that I'm going to knock American Eagle either, mind you," she says. "But, following in your family's footsteps, that's respectful," Kitty shares, reaching over for a moment to give Collen's arm a light touch before going back to eating some of her chicken.

"Ok, I admit, my mind is still working on how 'takeout the other thing not food' would actually work," she admits.

Colleen Wing has posed:
Colleen's eyes go to the light touch on her arm and she offers a soft smile. "You can judge all you want...I do." Another jest to her tone. The chicken is finally popped into her mouth and she extend one leg, shaking it out a bit, her bare toes curliing to the rugged floor. "It was nice of him. I mean I was a girl lost in Chinatown. I mean seriously. Who does that?" Is that another wink. "Yeah...I mean he did not have to do that for me. It has worked out well. I have a place to live that rivals a Japanase Palace and I have my students...they are why I do what I do. To make a difference for them. It get sme out of bed every morning. Or off the couch..sometimes that two feet is to far to crawl at night."

Colleen realizes her words were a bit confusing and decides to be blunt in her explaination, reaching a hand out to rest on Kitty's shoulder, leaving it there if allowed. "Well..you see. They would want to take me out. Well wait it's more than that. Um..hmmm. Alright. When a guy and a girl are together...sometimes the guy...or the girl...want to..." She pauses, looking directly into the gaze of Kitty and bites her lower lip. "They want to takes things out? I have no idea what I was saying. Guys want sex. There I said it. You happy?" She is laughing at this point and shakes her head back and forth slowly. "I like egg rolls. I mean eggrolls are like all the best things rolled up in whatever this is." Her chopsticks tap the outershell of the eggroll. Her hand still remains on Kitty's shoulder and she softly says in a motherly tone. "It's okay Kitty...keep your take out cartons closed and you should be okay."

Kitty Pryde has posed:
Kitty ends up laughing and she leans over to gently shoulder bump Colleen. And the more that Colleen talks, the more that Kitty laughs. Until finally she's setting her plate down so she doesn't spill any of it as her sides shake with her laughter.

"Oh Lord. I get that. I just meant, I was trying to picture... you know... and how he could take that home with him," she says. Kitty gives a wave of her hand. "Though I suppose you could have meant, you know, Seinfeld? Like takeout? He took it out. - He what? - He took it out. - He took what out? - It. - He took 'it' out? - Yessiree. - It? - It. - Out? - Out," she says, doing both parts of the conversation.

Kitty's still laughing and she looks down at her plate. "Though now I'm starting to wonder if I know you well enough to be eating your takeout, Colleen," Kitty says, looking at her with mock concern.

Colleen Wing has posed:
The Jewish girl's laughter is contagious and the next thing she knows, Colleen is setting her own plate down and laughing. She is not even sure what she is laughing about anymore. The shoulder bump is returned but she slightly misses, ending up falling over slightly towards her new friend, this only causing more laughter. She tries to compose herself, not able to catch her breath. "Oh my God, I remember that episode. And you did both parts." More laughter." There are actual tears coming out of her eyes

A hand moves to fan her face, trying to keep a straight face and not start laughing again. "Okay. I think I am...nope." More laughter and she tries once again to control it. "Alright." Then she mentiones the comment about eating her takeout and she loses it again, falling back on the couch and grabbing her stomach. "No keep eating. It's alright. Don't waste my take-out. At least have the fortune cookie." She slowly sits up, her cheeks are streaked with tears. "Just eat it. The carton is already opened and it aint going back in." She reaches for her chopsticks and picks up some noodles, but her hand is shaking and so are the noodles. "If you ever need a roommate...call me. The cute Japanese ninja. Takeout.'

Kitty Pryde has posed:
For awhile there are just peals of laughter coming from the room as Kitty's laughter seems to fuel Colleen's, which only brings more from Kitty as the two young women end up in a feedback loop.

Kitty laughs as Colleen falls over, hand going to gently pat through the hair on the back of her hand before letting go as she sits up again. During those moments Colleen can feel how Kitty's body is just shaking with laughter. "Oh God my ribs," Kitty says, moving a hand to her side as she starts to finally get a handle on her laughter.

A few deep breaths are taken to help restore some sense of normalcy. Kitty picks up her plate again, though delays eating from it just yet until she's sure she's done laughing. "Whew," she says, grinning over at her new friend. She finally takes another bite of the chicken, deftly handling the chopsticks as if she'd used them for a lifetime already.

Kitty chews slowly and swallows the bite. "I wasn't going to admit this," Kitty says, looking away from Colleen to give a rueful nod. "But I heard about you. Saw someone had wrote your name in a bathroom. 'Colleen Wing... girl has scrumptious takeout,'" Kitty says, biting down on her lips to try to stop herself from breaking out in more laughter. Kitty moves the plate aside and if allowed leans over to wrap an arm about Colleen and hug her tight. "God you're so much fun," she says.

Colleen Wing has posed:
It was a viscious loop of laughter, and Colleen is not looking forward to how bad her abs are going to hurt the next morning. A hand goes to wipe the tears from her cheeks, breathing more steadily. "Oh. Okay. I am good now. Controlled breathing Colleen. Controlled. Mountain flowers. Mountain flowers." Her eyes close a moment, but she is still smiling. "Alright I am good." She reaches for her plate while Kitty chooses to eat and does the same, another piece of chicken finding her mouth and she chews slowly and softly."

And then Kitty goes and starts it up again with the comment about her numebr being on a bathroom wall and she all but loses it again, turning her head quickly and spitting the chicken into her plant on the windowsill beside her. Her eyes snap back, going wide and bemused. "Kitty!." She laughs once more and turns to the plant. "Sorry Bob. Enjoy my takeout." She turns back to Kitty and waggles a finer. "Now in my defense..I put that there. Match wanted to charge 39.99 a month. Seriously? Screw that."

When Colleen sees Kitty coming in for a hug, she sets her pwn plate down and returns the hug, a nice tight embrace. "Awww. You are so much fun too and you smell like Lo Mein. My favorite." ANother squeeze given. "And here I was thinking I was going to spend the evening with a container of Mochi and the Hallmark channel."

Kitty Pryde has posed:
For Kitty, she manages to hold her laughter after the comments. At least until Colleen reveals how her name got on the bathroom wall. It just sets Kitty off again, and she laughs as they share the warm, tight hug.

"Whew..." Kitty says, trying to stop herself laughing. "Well there's the problem, you kept the Mochi and let the guys takeout the rest of it," Kitty tells her, grinning nearly ear to ear.

Another deep breath is exhaled to try to regain Kitty's composure. She doesn't bother picking the food back up this time, just relaxes there on the couch. She keeps an arm about her new friend if Colleen doesn't pull away. "I... really needed this, I think," she admits. Kitty shakes her head before Colleen can ask why, if she were about to. As if just wanting to bask in the moment.

Another deep breath, confirmation she can breathe without the giggles coming back. "So... ah... since you brought it up, does that mean Hallmark channel is on the table tonight too?" Kitty asks. "Because if I don't get my Danica McKellar fix every now and then, Kitty Pryde becomes a cranky girl."

Colleen Wing has posed:
Colleen's food remains on the table as well, content to let it sit there. She had eaten enough for her liking and honestly with all the laughing and her stomach hurting so bad, she did not want to put anything it in right now. She does not pull away, letting the arm stay around her, actually taking the step to extend her legs over Kityy's knees if allowed. "Well you see Mochi will never let you down or forget to call you. You open the freezer and it is always there. And it is sooo. good. Oh god now I want Mochi."

Legs taken down she darts to the freezer and grabs a container of mochi, exclaiming. "Yes..I didn't eat it all!" The freezer door is closed and she smiles widely, and holds up the box. "Have you ever had this? Oh my god...you are trying it." She bounces back onto the couch and kneels right beside Kitty, showing her the box. "Green Tea, Lavender and..um something red...oh maybe rose water." She opens the box and holds it before Kitty. "One bite..."

Her other had reaches back and reaches for the remote, turning the tv on and flipping to the hallmark channel. "Let's see what is on tonight. Oh look "Perfect Match" you get your Danica McKellar. Lucky you."

Kitty Pryde has posed:
Kitty relaxes against the Japanese girl comfortably as Colleen starts telling her about Mochi. "Honestly I don't think I've ever heard of it before. Though I was guessing it was food and not... ah... other things," Kitty says, her eyes darting left and right in a modestly humorous way before refocusing on Colleen to flash a grin to her.

Kitty watches as Colleen captures the rice cake from the freezer and returns to kneel by her side on the couch. Kitty turns a bit on her side to face Colleen as she peers curiously at what she's brought back. "It sounds good," Kitty agrees as she peers into the opened box. She reaches in and pulls out one of the edible delicacies and looks at it more closely before taking a small nibble from it.

"Oh. Oh. Yes. That's good. Better than the guys," Kitty says, her tongue touching her lips as if to capture any of the flavor that was left there. "Well. Better than many guys at least," Kitty says, and her cheeks flush for just a moment as she grins.

The TV coming on gets a laugh from Kitty. "What would you do, if I sang out of tune? Would you stand up and walk out on me?" Kitty asks. It might or might not be obvious right away that she's doing the Beatles song that is the Wonder Years theme, though she makes the end of it more into the song than just spoken so it's more obvious.

Colleen Wing has posed:
Colleen reaches in and pulls out a grene tea one, taking a bite and savoring it. "I like this one best." And then Kityt is licking her lips a few inches form her and she shakes her head. "Oh I bet you do that for all the guys." She sticks her tongue out and takes another bite talking with her mouthful. "Oh much better than most guys. This is going to reach places you never knew you had."

As Kitty starts singing, Collen raises a brow and looks from the TV to Kitty, then back to the TV and then back to Kitty gain. "Wait...I know that song. Lend me your ear and I'll sing you a song, and I'll try not to sing out of key." She actually attempts singing the next verse. "Its that British band with that Dingo guy. Yeah I know that." The mochi box is set on the table. "Help yourself to all you want.." The movie actually starts and sure enough there is Danica McKellar on the screen in all her glory. Collen pops up and dashes over to her dresser, taking out a pair of flannel sleepy pants, quickly sliding her jeans down and tossing them on with the speed of a ninja "Tissues are on the other side of the bed if this gets heartwarming." She then notions to the dresser again. "If ya need one, t-shirts are in the top drawer, comfy pants in the bottom. The bathroom is here." She points to it, but the place is so small it it had to miss. She pounces back again on the couch.

Kitty Pryde has posed:
Kitty looks at the box. Oh those were so good. This might take a bit of willpower to not have too many. She grins at the singing, and joins with Colleen singing those lyrics together. "Used to love that show," she says. "Had a crush on Fred Savage even though I was watching it in syndication years after it came out," she says with a little laugh.

Kitty gets up and retrieves a shirt when one is offered, changing into it and then returning to join Colleen on the couch. The rest of the evening is spent watching the show, talking, and trying the different flavors of Mochi. And the tissues? Absolutely needed!