15184/A Cat of a Different Breed

A Cat of a Different Breed
Date of Scene:	20 June 2023
Location:	Midtown
Synopsis:	Both Selene and Hellcat take an interest in each other after crossing paths.
Cast of Characters:	Patsy Walker, Selene Gallio

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Patsy Walker has posed:
Night's set in, and Hellcat traverses the rooftops of Midtown. Whether patrol or something more specific, the costumed detective makes her way along nimbly, expertly. Nearby are a number of famous buildings: Empire State, Four Freedoms Plaza, Stark Tower, Grand Central Station, and Madison Square Garden to name but a few.

The woman in the yellow and black costume perches from a building about ten stories up, overlooking a few of the nightclubs and other entertainment sites. Eyes narrow behind the solid whites of her cowl, clawed fingers drumming against the railing at the rooftop's edge.

Selene Gallio has posed:
Selene was bored. That happens often when you have lived for milennia and have seen most everything there is to see, at least twice. Even the Hellfire Club and all of its unique charms are not as unique to her as they might be to literally anyone else. And so while the party is still raging within, like it is every night, Selene has found herself slipping out the back.

She has no idea what she is seeking, but knows that it is not within the Club. Of course, walking the streets of New York City, or the alleyways, in her Hellfire Club attire would not be the best idea for most. A tight fitting black leather corset with an open back save for the laces and a matching thong, along with thigh high boots. Pity, however, the person who chooses to let her attire convince them that she is suitable prey.

Patsy Walker has posed:
Whatever the reasons, Hellcat chooses to descend the building she's currently stationed stop. A swing over the edge toward the fire escape, which she slides down more than walking it, and for the time being she fits the bill of an alley cat.

About a block ahead is Selene, though Hellcat slips out of the space between buildings to turn in the direction away from the woman. A glimpse of golden yellow, fit like a costume. Red hair. Black gloves and boots, if that is in fact what they are and not just differently-colored sections of the costume. Fingers and toes both display claws. The cowl? Feline in design.

Selene Gallio has posed:
Selene may be aware of the presence of Hellcat, but if so, she does not give much indication of it, the staccato of her heels against the alleyway leading her away from the costumed crime fighter. And directly into the path of one of those pitiable people.

"Well, what do we have here?" exclaims a somewhat brash male voice, followed by a wolf whistle.

Patsy Walker has posed:
It's the whistle that draws on Hellcat's attention. Not meant for her, but there is a momentary gap in the general sounds of the city that it carries just so.

"What do we have here?" she asks herself, unaware that there's another who's just voiced the same question. The whistle reached her. The words did not.

The subject of the attention appears to be someone dressed for particular purposes. Whether from the Hellfire Club or somewhere else, there is much about that place kept hidden from the general public. Altering her path, she moves toward the others.

Selene Gallio has posed:
Selene arches her eyebrow at the exclamation, turning to regard the man. "A woman. I am sorry that such a sight is one that you are not accustomed to." She starts walking towards him, displaying no discomfort or concern whatsoever as his eyes move over her form.

The man is a bit unnerved by that response, but not enough to realize the danger he is in. "I seen plenty!" he offers defensively. And then he tries to puff himself up a bit. "And I know what they like. And you look like that's what you're looking for."

Patsy Walker has posed:
There's no sign that the woman who's the focus of the man's misplaced affections can handle herself, but she isn't reacting the way someone might normally, either. Regardless, Hellcat's steps pick up the pace before long, the sash cinched around her hips trailing along behind her.

"Is there a problem here?" she cuts in, strolling up like she just happened to overhear things. "What do you think she's looking for, hmm? And why do you think you're the one to provide it?" Great. One of those costumed people.

Selene Gallio has posed:
Turning her gaze back towards Hellcat, there is a slight grin on Selene's face. "Well, he seems to think that I am looking for him to throw me up against the wall and have his way with me right here and now."

She turns her attention back to the man, arching an eyebrow. He looks between the two of them and starts to stammer a response. "I mean, not, really, I mean...maybe..."

Patsy Walker has posed:
Hellcat plants her hands at her hips, giving Selene a quick look up and down. She is certainly dressed a particular way. Her first impression might even be like his, that the woman is looking for a good time. But, what sort of good time?

His reaction shifts rapidly, and eyes roll behind the cat cowl. "Oh, please. Where'd all the confidence go? Poof?" With a hand, she makes a light fist then spreads the fingers out to go along with the 'poof' bit. "Oh, there it is. I can see it fluttering away now."

At this point, one of those fingers lazily indicates the area between his legs before she waves her finger back and forth a few times.

Selene Gallio has posed:
"Indeed," replies Selene, in agreement with Hellcat's assessment. "It seems that his voice is firmer than...anything else." She glances down as well. "And even that is not so firm."

She advances on him, reaching up towards his cheek with a hand. "Come on, you can admit that you just want a little taste."

Between the appearance of the hero and the woman's somewhat odd responses, the man is rattled and starts to back away.

Patsy Walker has posed:
What Selene's starting to do, it may not be clear to Hellcat. All of a sudden, the man's bravado is laid bare as false. There's a super on the scene, he isn't alone with what he thought was an easy victim.

With him making to back off, Hellcat 'helps' by booting at him with a foot aimed at his backside. "Go on. Get out of here, and if I see you trying anything like this again, I'll do more than just this," she warns. He runs. Quickly.

So, this leaves one woman to face the other, Hellcat's partly hidden face angling slightly as her head tilts. "You're not what I expected," she notes. "Not afraid of him at all."

Selene Gallio has posed:
As the man is chased away, there is a hint of disappointment on Selene's face. As if she were deprived of a toy she had just started to appreciate. But it is gone in a moment as she turns to face Hellcat. "I am rarely what any expects, my dear," she nearly purrs out to the hero.

There is a long moment as Selene's gaze moves over the figure of the hero, considering her. "Why would I have any reason to be afraid of him? I had you here to protect me."

Patsy Walker has posed:
For now, there's no further suspicion on Hellcat's part that Selene may be any more than she appears: a woman of the night who was almost taken advantage of, confident attitude notwithstanding.

The costumed cat reacts to the near-purr with a light sniff, both hands resting at her hips again. "Then, mission accomplished. That's part of what people like me are here for. There are a few places around here people seem to be keeping an eye on, looking for people like.." She clears her throat once. "..you know, people that look vulnerable." She's sizing the woman up, with her impressive attire. Her own catsuit is respectable, if clear in showing the body wearing it.

Selene Gallio has posed:
That seems to amuse Selene as she tilts her head, studying Hellcat. "And is that when you see, when you look at me?" She laughs quietly. "Do I look /vulnerable/ to you?"

Selene takes a half step towards Hellcat. "Look a little closer, dear."

Patsy Walker has posed:
"I see.." Hellcat begins, taking pause for another look up and down, sizing the woman up. "..someone who's not exactly what she seems. If I had to guess now, you could be a Mistress at one of those places people pay for..you know." She gestures, a hand waving about briefly, trying to be polite about it.

With the step toward her, she questions, "What should I be looking for?"

Selene Gallio has posed:
There is something of a laugh from Selene at Hellcat's guess. "One of those places...." She tilts her head. "I take it that is not the sort of place you patronize, hmmm?"

Selene continues her advance, as clearly as she has settled on a new toy for the evening. "Vulnerability? Weakness? Need?" She makes an elaborate shrug. "Whatever you want to look for."

Patsy Walker has posed:
Hellcat's answer is quick, a little too quick. "No! Especially not like this!" Denial is quick, truthful in this case, but still quick.

However, unlike the man who's long gone by now, she stands her ground as Selene closes the gap. If she is a cat seeing a mouse, the mouse still has the attitude of the cat. Two cats, then. Something like that.

"I'm not sure I see any of that in you. You look like someone who knows what she wants," the one in the costume finishes.

Selene Gallio has posed:
"Ah, it would embarass you among your fellow heroes to be seen not in control?" Selene laughs for a moment. "That is why it is best done in private. For your own satisfaction. No one ever has to know, of course."

She watches Hellcat's reaction carefully, and nods in agreement. "I am. Are /you/ someone who knows what /she/ wants?" she asks, reaching out with a hand towards Hellcat's costumed cheek.

Patsy Walker has posed:
Hellcat shakes her head at the question of control, the mention of privacy. In fact, she bites her lower lip at that, lest she say something she'll wish she hadn't. The only real answer to that part is a snort-like sniff as her body language tightens ever so slightly. Could be an awkward topic to think about.

What she does answer, after a pause, is the last question. "Sometimes I think I am. Other times, I'm not so sure." There's an extra open and shut of her mouth, but the fingers draw near the greyed section of her cowl that looks styled after a cat's whiskers in some fashion.

Selene Gallio has posed:
"Ah, you are one who feels like you /have/ to always be in control, aren't you?" Selene's face grins. "Afraid of what happens if you lose control, or afraid that you would like it?"

There is a slow nod at that answer, and Selene shrugs slightly. "Well. I cannot very well help someone who does not know what they want. How can I give you what you do not know?"

Patsy Walker has posed:
Hellcat doesn't glare, but there's a setting of her jaw before any contact may be made near it. There's a huff that can only seem as acknowledgement of the matter of control, then she starts to raise a finger at the last part of that question, of liking it. "Hrmn."

She has to look up from this perspective. "Something tells me you're skilled at figuring that out."

Selene Gallio has posed:
A slow nod, as Selene's fingers near, but do not quite touch Hellcat. Her face breaks into a grin, and then she takes a step back away from her.

"See? I told you you just had to look." Then she laughs. "I do not think you are quite ready, my dear."

Patsy Walker has posed:
"Excuse me?" A bristling, all of a sudden. "I've been to hell and back," Hellcat says. A figure of speech, or something more literal? Surely the former, but in this world...one never knows for certain.

In this, a step forward follows to match the one Selene concedes. "Don't think I'm not trying to figure you out too. I'm not new to all of this." She gestures to her costume, suggesting she means the whole 'go out and protect the innocent' thing. Or the not so innocent.

"What do you think I'm not ready for?" A bit of an edge to the ask.

Selene Gallio has posed:
There is a laugh from Selene, watching Hellcat's display, amusement in her eyes as Hellcat turns into the pursuer. She watches, not seeming to back down, but simply nods to her.

"All of it." She reaches out to place her finger on Hellcat's nose through the costume, running her finger down it, before turning to walk away.

Patsy Walker has posed:
Hellcat's eyes cross behind the mask, thankfully hidden even if there's a brief 'snarl' type of visual from the raise of her upper lip. The contact is what it is, there and gone as the woman reveals her back to the feline.

Then, a hand extending toward bare shoulder. Not so much to grab, but to be felt as there. "Don't think I'm just letting you off the hook that easily," she retorts. "That's, like, super vague. Where are you coming from? Or going?"

Selene Gallio has posed:
There is a dark smile on Selene's face that, if Hellcat were privvy to, might have saved her from some potential future trouble. Some of it may be audible in Selene's response. "That depends entirely upon how quickly you decide what you want..."

Patsy Walker has posed:
"You've got me curious. Too late to just tease and leave," Hellcat answers. The smile is hidden to her, the back of Selene's head all she can see for the moment. "Seeing as I helped send that guy off, I think I deserve a little more information before I just go on."

Selene Gallio has posed:
There is simply a low, guttural laugh from Selene, still facing away from Hellcat. "Who said anything about teasing?"