14976/Stray Cat in Town

Stray Cat in Town
Date of Scene:	21 May 2023
Location:	Old Gotham - Founders Island
Synopsis:	Hellcat comes to Gotham and crosses paths with Catwoman
Cast of Characters:	Selina Kyle, Patsy Walker

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Selina Kyle has posed:
Catwoman is working with the Bats again. Officially. More or less. At least she said that she'd help.

Not one to perch like a gargoyle and loom over the city, the black-clad burglar is flattened against one of the stone structures atop the Gotham Museum of Antiquities. To anyone without enhanced vision, she blends in almost perfectly. In turn, her goggles are set for night vision as she methodically surveys the surrounding area.

Patsy Walker has posed:
What is Catwoman on the lookout for? Who can say, in this city?

That isn't Hellcat's concern. While she'd sent word ahead to Batman that she was going to be in town, searching for clues on a case she was working (and secretly hoping he might even come out to help), she didn't wait for a positive or negative response. Better to beg forgiveness than ask permission, sometimes.

Traversing the rooftops of Gotham City isn't the same as in New York City. Buildings she's familiar with are different here, spaced further apart in some cases, less so in others. Heights aren't the usual. It makes for a slower progression, though one no less skilled when it comes to things like running, jumping, climbing trees. Maybe not the last part.

Even against the night, her golden yellow catsuit stands out.

Selina Kyle has posed:
Selina probably didn't get the memo that they were going to have company. Then again, it's not like she's been fully included in the phone tree or anything just yet. Alfred has welcomed her back to the mansion with open arms, of course, but some of the others were bound to be... less enthusiastic.

She has Bruce's blessing, however, and that's all that matters.

Movement. Someone in a yellow suit. Scratch that... a -woman- in a yellow suit. Yes, definitely a woman. And moving over the rooftops like she's done this before. There's a little hesitation, perhaps some lack of familiarity, but certainly not without skill.

Catwoman figures a general direction, then she sets off to intercept. She's only human, but she moves with the grace and speed of someone who not only knows what she's doing, but is doing it in her own backyard. The whip is used to swing between buildings, and she runs and jumps and rolls over the rooftops.

Patsy Walker has posed:
Hellcat's pace is not one of pursuit. There are stops and starts, pauses and ponderings, crouching and considering. Darkened gloves and boots go along with a cowl that, at a glance, could pass for one of Batman's if not for the shorter, more feline ears. There's also a sash wound about the waist with dual 'tails' that trail and flutter behind when she's in motion.

Coming to an intersection, she strides back and forth a few times, sizing up one thing or another, then a leap sees her land atop the 'arm' of a set of signals, maintaining her balance all the way across before vaulting up via handspring to land across the way on another rooftop.

Like...a cat.

Selina Kyle has posed:
Hellcat no sooner lands on that rooftop when another, darker figure swings up and rolls towards the center from the ledge. Without looking, Catwoman gives her whip a practiced shake to loosen it before reeling it in and coiling it up.

"You're new, kitten." she offers, adding a theatrical purr for effect. Her steps are graceful as she approaches, and when she stands there's something familiar... the cock of her hip, the way she places her hand on the flare just so.

"The real question is which team are you on? Team Good Guys or Team Bad Guys."

Patsy Walker has posed:
Yellowed 'brows' marked on the cowl above solid white eyes. The appearance of 'whiskers' against cheeks to either side of the nose. Much like the Gothamite, this one certainly plays up the look of the cat.

Upon rising from the crouch, both hands settle at hips, Hellcat looking the one in black up and down. Each finger and toe is tipped with a claw, looking more than sharp enough.

"Oh, 'kitten,' is it? Let me take one guess: Catwoman. Yeah, I've seen you before. Usually renderings and sketches. I've gotta say, they don't do justice."

An eye narrows at the stance, though it may not register with her just yet. "Oh, cats don't really do teams, not all the time. But you'd know a thing or two about that. I'm not here to do any B&E, so don't worry about me encroaching on your territory. Name's Hellcat."

Selina Kyle has posed:
Catwoman's fingers are likewise clawed, each one long and slender and straight. She holds the pose, eyes unseen behind the goggles. "Oh believe me, darling, I also know a thing or two about cats. Lionesses may hunt in packs, but that's not exactly who we are, now is it?"

Her stance shifts, steps slow and deliberate as she paces closer. "Pleasure to meet you, Hellcat. And I'm not on a 'job' tonight, either. I'm actually out spreading good tidings and cheer, or something." She stops a comfortable distance away. "Are we doing some sort of 'team swap' program that I wasn't briefed on? I swear, sometimes those boys don't tell me anything."

Patsy Walker has posed:
A light breeze keeps the sash at Hellcat's side from remaining completely still. "I'm not so proud or naive as to think people like us can't use an extra pair of hands or so from time to time, but I do a lot of my best work on my own. Good tidings? And how are you doing that?"

She eases away from the edge of the roof, both approaching and sizing up Catwoman, noting all the finer details, of which there are a few. "Wasn't aware of any boys, team swaps, or otherwise. I'm helping a friend with a little field work on a case she's taken. Maybe there's some evidence that was overlooked. Some don't have an eye for what's past the obvious."

Selina Kyle has posed:
Catwoman chuckles softly at that, circling just enough to keep the distance between them as Hellcat steps away from the roof. "The Robins, I mean. I think Batman is starting his own fraternity or something." she replies. "They're good, eager, and energetic. Like boys. And mostly helpful, even."

Her head tilts a little, likewise sizing up Hellcat while the two chat. "Field work? So you're on recon tonight, then...." Something catches, then. "A case she's taken? So your friend is a police officer, or something else? A detective, perhaps? Maybe both?" Oh, she likes this game!

Patsy Walker has posed:
Hellcat keeps one hand against the hip, balance of weight shifted just so to that side. "Never met any of them, I don't think. Honestly, I haven't kept up on how many there are now. Cats, Robins, Bats..that's a unique set of groupings."

The answer isn't kept hidden. "Detective. Private. Can't really go into the details, but she asked me to find something that might clear her client's name. He says he was set up. I've got my doubts, but I've learned not to think I know too much all the time. That's when you find out how little you really knew."

Selina Kyle has posed:
Private Detective. Selina knows many of them. Some are even in her network, and do the occasional odd job for her.

When she doesn't have access to HIS resources, that is.

"Oh yes, Gotham City has more colorful characters than a three-ring circus." Catwoman replies. "I can't say the cops are either bad or good, honestly. Crooked or straight. So I try to avoid them, just to be on the safe side."

Another studying look follows. "So if you're not from around here, Hellcat, where do you usually work? Or is 'hunt' a better term?

Patsy Walker has posed:
"New York City. Where the bad salsa comes from," Hellcat answers, seeing how good Catwoman's pop culture references are. She's also got her voice a little deeper and huskier, evidence of changing it - if Catwoman recognizes the same thing from her own experience along with being mixed in with the Batman crew.

She adds, "I find a lot of them are the same, but I think there's a little more corruption in this one than the other big cities out here. I'm not looking to be unmasked if I can help it." Crossing arms, she rests her backside against an HVAC unit.

Selina Kyle has posed:
Catwoman cocks her head at that. "Bad salsa comes from a lot of places besides just New York City." she replies, with a playful smile, whether she gets the pop culture reference or not. Catwoman definitely gets the vocal shift; she knows it well enough by now.

"That's a good plan. Gotham has plenty of shadows and overcast nights. It tends to bleed over into people's attitudes as well. Of course, if they can't catch you, they can't unmask you. But you already knew that."

Patsy Walker has posed:
Hellcat mms. "Like the place a few blocks that way," she says, indicating back the way she'd came. "And I get it. I'm familiar enough with the typical Gothamite. A lot of people from different cities wouldn't be able to survive here. Some of you wear that like a badge of honor."

Again she moves, deciding to leave the vicinity of the big metal box with the fan. "And what were /you/ doing out? Why did you decide to follow me?"

Selina Kyle has posed:
Catwoman moves as well, keeping the distance and slowly circling. Her bearing is casual, her footwork is not. "I followed you because I saw movement... and a costume I didn't recognize. You'd be amazed how the most innocuous things around here can become dangerous." she replies.

"Don't, repeat don't, feed the penguins." Catwoman adds, with deadpan seriousness.

"Everyone here has a story, some harder than others. Stick around long enough, and maybe you'll hear a few of them."

Patsy Walker has posed:
Imagine two cats sizing each other up. Maybe yowling, not quite hissing, but measuring matters for sure. That may describe Hellcat and Catwoman right now. "And you were curious," she adds, tossing a suspicion out there. "Noted," added where the penguins are concerned. "Whether in a zoo or not."

It's the last part that gets a little more out of her. "That's what I'm trying to find out. The truth about what happened. His story. Is the drug-pusher they say he is, or was he one of their victims, dragged into it? I'll probably know more soon." Meanwhile, the one in black is getting more of her attention.

Selina Kyle has posed:
"Especially if they're not." Catwoman replies, on the matter of penguins. "You see, it's little details like that which make all the difference when it comes to surviving in Gotham." she adds. "You're good. I've watched the way you move. You'll live longer than most."

"Ever since the Bat, would-be vigilantes have been practically falling out of the woodwork like cockroaches. Everybody wants to be a hero. Most of them don't last a week." Her upper lip curls at that.

"Some of us are more... pragmatic... in our choice of activities. A few of us even try to do the right thing. Usually for the wrong reasons, but it's a start. Your drug dealer sounds like he may be one of them."

Patsy Walker has posed:
A smirk plays at the ruby red lips beneath the cowl, Hellcat's smile coming then going. "Funny you should say that," she remarks to the part about living longer than most, without elaboration. Yet.

Instead, she moves toward the edge of the building, away from the intersection she'd crossed before. "I wanted to be a hero when I was offered this suit. I thought I was ready. Maybe I wasn't as much then." She gestures toward the edge of the structure. "Some of the deals went down here. My friend might be able to get him some kind of reduced sentence or even better if he can get the cops the ones who are really pulling the strings. He doesn't want to be seen as a snitch. You know how it is, but that makes it more difficult to get what I need."

Back to the hips go her hands, Catwoman able to see her from behind. "But I don't give up easily."

Selina Kyle has posed:
Of course Selina doesn't know Hellcat's history, but neither has she shared her own story. "Nine lives, right?" she replies dryly. And yes, she certainly admires the view as it's offered. "Everybody thinks they want to be a hero, then the time comes and everything suddenly gets very... real." she replies.

"That's the part most 'heroes' aren't ready for. Realizing that you can't save everyone, you can't catch all of the bad guys, and in the end you'll probably just end up as a suspect in this thankless city."

Selina folds her arms across her chest. "One at a time. Try do fix more than one thing at a time, and you'll end up in Arkham on laughing gas."

Patsy Walker has posed:
Hellcat moves a shoulder in a shrug. "Maybe seven or eight, now," she deadpans, her demeanor coming off as brusque in a few spots. "Let's just say I went through some low points before I got stronger." Probably just normal things. Or are they?

Her red hair does flow so fully from the back of that cowl. Quite a color.

"That's also why I sent Batman a heads-up along with a little information to make it easier for him to do his own research. No, I don't plan on dealing with any police tonight."

The matter of ending up in Arkham gets her to glance back over a shoulder. "Or in a straitjacket. Maybe both. I hear those are in fashion there."

Selina Kyle has posed:
"We've all had our low points, kitten." Catwoman replies, her voice softer as she slips in that trademark purr. "I'll check back with him later, then. See if there's anything I can do to help." Once he's vouched for Hellcat, of course. Catwoman doesn't give her trust easily.

The flowing hair doesn't go without notice, either. Selina sighs to herself; like Gotham needs more redheads.

"You planning on being in town for more than just tonight? We could meet, say, tomorrow once I've done a little follow-up." Batman is a very busy guy, after all. And Selina did say that she'd help.

Patsy Walker has posed:
"I'm not a kitten," Hellcat insists. Often, objections like that only lead to terms being used more frequently. At least she didn't sound angry?

A faint 'hnnh' at the back of her throat. "I was going to set up a watch here, before just..scratching at the door. Maybe a disguise." That part, she hasn't thought through all the way. "But yeah, talk to him if you need to. Does he have you collared, then? I don't see one."

At this, there is a thin smile.

Selina Kyle has posed:
Catwoman makes a sound that's somewhere between a laugh and a hiss when she mentions a collar. "He knows cats." she replies. "And I assure you that I'm my own woman." If she had hackles, they would bristle at the thought. Perhaps she's just denying it, of course, but that's for her to work out.

"Alright, then. I'll check back again here. Leave word if you want my help. I'll assume you don't if you aren't here or I don't see anything." She folds her arms again, not quite in a huff.

Yes, that definitely struck a nerve.

Patsy Walker has posed:
Was that a mild..giggle? Why yes, Hellcat did just laugh. "If you had fur right now, just imagine how it'd be standing up. Oh, I've heard enough of your reputation to know that isn't you. I couldn't resist, though."

Her mood /is/ a little more bubbly and cheerful in light of the comment and Catwoman's reaction, noting the woman's own shift in body language. "I think I will be here," she decides.

Selina Kyle has posed:
Selina Kyle's stance shifts a little, becoming more aggressive with hands lowering. Fingers spread, claws extended. And if she had a tail right now it would be swishing as well. But when she laughs, the sound is all silk and velvet.

"Good. I look forward to getting to know you better." she replies. If Hellcat is going to work in Her... or, rather HIS... city, someone might as well put together a file on her. Oh crap, that'll be paperwork. Why is being one of the good guys such a pain?

"You be good until then, kitten. I look forward to our next chat, and I'd hate to read about you in the Gazette."