16304/Wings

Wings
Date of Scene:	11 November 2023
Location:	Chikara Dojo
Synopsis:	Warren and Colleen Wing meet and bond about their mutual friend, Kitty Pryde
Cast of Characters:	Warren Worthington, Colleen Wing

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Warren Worthington has posed:
Warren Worthington arrived outside the dojo under his own power, landing lightly just down the street. He slips into an easy stride, wearing a custom-made linen shirt, open at the back to permit the use of his wings unencumbered. He wears simple slacks and well-shined shoes, although he has to shake out his wings and flap a little to get some of the excess debris from the air off of him as he lands.

Even underdressed, he radiates wealth, from the platinum Starkwatch on his arm, to the cut of his clothes to the simple way he walks, years of private school before his transfer to Xavier's having given him almost overdramatically good posture.

He knocks on the door carefully, but had made arrangements ahead of time, texting Colleen after getting her number from Kitty.

//Warren Worthington here. I'd like to talk to you about some things. Kitty being close to both of us, seems we should learn to get along as well. Eight on Friday, unless you have objections. I'll come to you.//

Colleen Wing has posed:
The text was a surprise. She had heard Kitty speak of Warren numerous times in the past. She knew their history. Yet, still they had never really met. She could not explain why. They simply had not become friends, despite both of their closeness to Kitty. The text would have been sent back: //Hey Warren. No objections at all. COme by Friday after 5 o'clock. My classes will be over by then. I'll provide dinner. See you then.//

Upon his arrival, he would be met at the door of the Dojo, Colleen opening the door for him and gesturing him in. "Mr. Worthington. It is so good to finally meet you. Please come in. Welcome to Chikara Dojo."

Her arm gestures to show him the Dojo space. "I know it is not much, but it suits my needs. It has charm."

She begins to make her way to the curtain that leads to her living space, padding her barefeet across thr floor. Oh yes, she is dressed for comfort. A pair of flannel bottoms and a "Hello Kitty" t-shirt, her hair in a ponytail. "I hope you like Chinese food. I ordered some. Well ordered a lot actually. They always give me extra."

Warren Worthington has posed:
Warren Worthington wears his blonde hair a little long, tied into a neat, short ponytail at the back. He looks over the space and flexes his winges out, "Anyplace indoors seems close to me, but I like the energy here. And should a dojo be elaborate? Isn't the simplicity of the space part of its function, in a way?"

He'll slip his own shoes off, respecting the Asian custom. "There is nothing more American than Chinese food. Been a fan since my father first took us to Hong Kong when I was a boy. Beautiful city, with a culture of its own and a strange melancholy. I've heard mystics I know say it's a haunted city. But then, so is New York."

"I wanted to talk about a couple of things. First of all, the holidays are coming up and either we're going to have to split Kitty between us or find a way to know each other so it isn't awkward to be introduced around the festive season. And to perhaps coordinate our gift giving so we don't step on one another's toes."

Colleen Wing has posed:
She listens to her companion as she seps ito the living quarters, gesturing to the couch or a chair, wherever he chooses to sit. "Please. Make yourself at home. If sitting on the bed is easier for you...um wings. Feel free. I don't mind."

As mentioned, on the table is an assortment of Chinese food, she was not lying when she said she had a lot. "Help yourself. Eat up, or I am going to be having this for thenext few days." She murmurs to herself. "I mean not real different from most weekends."

She settles down on the couch, placing some of the food on a plate for herself, but her attention and eyes are focused on her guest as she does so. "I think one of the greatest gifts we can give her is to know one another better. I promise you I will not fight you for her attention. I know her fondness for you. But, I think after this little meeting that will not be an issue. Any good friend of Kitty's I am sure I will get along with."

She forks some rice into her mouth chewing it fully before speaking again. "Did you have any possible ideas of what you may want to get her? I have been thinking a few things, but not entirely sure just yet. Not thinking a Chikara Dojo t-shirt is going ot cut it. Though, from what I know of you, your budget may be a little bigger than mine."

Warren Worthington has posed:
Warren Worthington nods, "I think it's important to her that we get along. Maybe that's why she put it off - nervous, maybe, because she wants it to go well. I confess she might have thought I was the problem in that regard. I am both extremely wealthy and a little bit arrogant. I'm aware of it as much as anyone and I can strike people the wrong way. Mostly because I tend to do as I please whether they like it or not," he says.

"I'm not good at playing humble or being a shrinking violet. But I like to think I have always shared well."

He uses chopsticks with relative expertise, getting fried rice and some sort of chicken dish he can't quite identify, but it's spicy enough, at least. "I was thinking of taking her on a trip. She's such a workaholic. But I know it might be hard to persuade her to put things aside for a whole week, but if it's a gift, well, she'll just have to suck it up and graciously accept. Someplace warm and beachy, probably the Caribbean. That or Paris. There's always Paris."

Colleen Wing has posed:
"Look, I am going to be honest with you. Money and arrogance..doesn't impress me. I mean don;t get me wrong. I could always use more money. Clearly. No hiding that." She chopsticks some of the beef to her mouth, chewing once more, before continuing. "You know. Doing whatever you want regardless of what people tell you is a good quality. Hell, I am the same way. I mean not arrogant and such, but I do not respond well to be told what to do. Never have." She shrugs and gices him a smile, waving her chopsticks at him in the air in a pointing gesture. "We are going to get along just fine."

She watches him a moment her head tilting to the side. "To be fair I should tell you a little about me then." She looks about. "I live in a small aprtment space off a dojo. A dojo in a building I do not own. Let's see here. I give a lot of free lessons away to the kids after school. Maybe why I am living in an apartment attached to a dojo." She takes a sip from a bottle of water on the table. "I don't have a lot of close friends..."

She stops talking and changes the subject for the moment. "Caribbean or Paris. They both are amazing. Or so I have heard." She narrows her eyes in thought and then nods slowly. "If I know Kitty, she owuld love both. I guess it comes down to warm weather or culture with fine dining."

Again with the chopstick wave. "I can tell you this. If you decide dto take her on a trip, our gifts will not overlap."

Warren Worthington has posed:
Warren Worthington :nods, "I don't know how to be any other way but how and who I am. I am painted by the colors that have been pressed upon me. I am a privileged man and, for all the hard things I've been through, I have lived a privileged life. Yes, through no merit of my own, but also by no choice of my own. I will do my best to be the best me I can be. Whether that reaches up to the standards of others, I couldn't give a damn."

"Seems functional and sensible. I do like my creature comforts, though. I don't do well with austerity or restraint. The ascetic life is not for me, I'm afraid."

He smiles, "Excellent. I'm sure I'll have a few other things. Gross material objects, like diamonds or clothes. Which she is free to keep or discard as she pleases."

Colleen Wing has posed:
"ALl that matters is that you are not a dick to everyone. Be a nice person to those that deserve it and you are doing it right. Don't need a million dollars to be to someone. An if you do have a million dollars, it does not mean you have to treat others like they are useless." She shrugs again and winks to him. "I don't think you are like that at all, or Kitty would not have anything to do with you. So, do not be to critical of yourself. Okay?

She pulls her feet up onto the couch, turning to face him so she can speak with him more directly. "Ah so a bitt of a playboy then?"

A smile comes to her lips. "Nothing wrong with that. I mean hey, have as much fin as you can, while you can right? I walk that line, but...kinda follow a strict little code. You know, a Japanese Samurai thing. I do my best. I am not perfect tho." She takes a bit more food to her mouth, noddingas she swallows bedfore speaking again. "You know. Diamonds and cloths are good. Don't get me wrong. By all means get them. I mean if you want."

The chopsticks are set down and she hugs her knees while watching him. "Why not give her something you know she won't discard?"

Warren Worthington has posed:
Warren Worthington gestures playfully with his chopsticks, "I reserve the right to be a dick to people I think deserve it," he says. "Some people need to be taken down a peg and I'm in a uniquely good position to do it sometimes. I can use my privilege for good. But realliy, for a billionaire, I'm an angel," he says.

The last question, he sits back, "I think I do, but those things aren't material at all, if that makes sense. She's always been there for me, even when I've doubted myself, when I've felt lost. She's so steadfast, so smart."

Colleen Wing has posed:
Did he say Billionaire? I mean she knew he was rich, but that was a lot of zeroes. "Oh I totally agree. If people need t be taken down a peg, I will be the first one to side a kick to the side of their head. Or did you mean to do it another way...cuz that is cool too. Just I would...you know. Kick them." A smie as she rwaches to take a sip of the water again. "My grandfather back in Japan used to always tell me. /anata ga iya naku natsu ta toki anata ga nokosu no wa anata ga dono you ni kioku sa reru ka dake desu. Granted he usually said it after a few cups of saki. It means...all you have after you are gone is how you are remembered. I worry about that all the time. Have I done enough and how will I be remembered?"

A hand is raised to tuck a strand of hair back behind her ear. "She is. I mean steadfast and smart. And that girl can put away a pint of Ben and Jerry's over a Hallmark movie too." She watches him a moment alsmost deciding if she wants to ask the next question. "Do you regret not being with her anymore?" There she said it.

Warren Worthington has posed:
Market values depending, of course. He tends to prefer the higher estimations of his present value, but it can be hard to keep track with so many diversified assets.

"I meant more social humiliation, but I can throw a kick pretty well, too. Most of my fellow mutants can do things like shoot energy out of their eyes or heal any injury or move things with their minds. I just have my wings and a few metabolic advantages," he smiles. "I had to learn to fight if I wanted to keep up."

"I do like a big of ice cream," he says. To the last question, he sighs, turning on the couch to face Colleen more directly. "Yes and no. We still have...our connection. We're still close, maybe even closer than when we were together. We just don't have rules or some sort of expectation to keep up with. We're us when we're together but we're capable of functioning apart. It's complicated and unusual, but it works for us. I don't think conventional marriage would suit her or I terribly well anyway."

Colleen Wing has posed:
"Somedays I wish I hadsome sort of mutant power. Most days not. Everything I can do, I learned. Yup, squishy little normal human." She smiles again. "I hold my own I guess."

"Relationships are difficult. I mean what is a relationship this day anyhow? There are a lot of people that do not even consider marriage. I guess it is whatever the two people involved works best for them." More water, a longer sip. "I guess it comes down to if the relationship the two of you have is working, then do you really need to put a label on it? Unless...jealousy seeps in on one end, then you have a realy messy situation."

A hand runs along the back of her neck. "I'll tell you what I can do for you. I am going be your little spy. Yeah that's right. Agent Wing at your service. I will feel her out all subtle like. See if she would prefer something tropical or European. Trust me. I can get that without her being suspicious. She knows I am not taking there."

Warren Worthington has posed:
Warren Worthington smiles, "I would appreciate that immensely," he says at the suggestion. "And yes, I think Kitty and I's relationship is right for us. I've never been the jealous type - people are always going to do as they please and if a woman wants to be with me, she probably can be," he says. "I'm in no position to turn away affection. I know how precious and rare it can be. I grew up in a house where feelings were forbidden and most relationships transactional. I make a point to live differently."

"May I ask what you have in mind for her? I'm curious to see how someone else might see her. Maybe it'll give me a bit of insight, eh?"

Colleen Wing has posed:
HIs reply does suprise her a bit, but she is not going to comment on it. She was not one to allow herself to jump from relationship to relationship. She never was. Perhaps she loved to deeply for that? "As long as the two of you are happy and nobody gets hurt. I mean...especially her. Cuz, then I would have to come hunt you down or send you a very strongly worded text that would make you feel all emasculated." There is a certain jest to her words, bjut he wouldbe able to tell she was serious in her intention to not let her get hurt.

"You know. I have not given it a lot of thought. Tho, I do have an idea." She holds up a finger and hops off the couch, padding her barefeet across the floor and kneeling on the far side of the bed. A long flat box is pulled out and she slides it across the floor, half crawling on the floor to where she can present it. "We are the same size."

With that she opens the box to reveal a beatiful silk Kimono. "I have had this for years. Well since I was 16. I know how much she loves Asian culture. DO you think shemight like it?"

Warren Worthington has posed:
Warren Worthington raises an eyebrow, "I've been hunted before and survived. But no, I would never hurt Kitty. She knows all my weaknesses anyway. That's kind of what she's good at - she takes you for who you are, not who she expects you to be."

He stands and moves overs a little more closely, his wings flexing a bit as he stands, a constant presence and reminder. He likes it that way, he likes being special, he likes being different. And he likes seeing the revulsion in the eyes of some, because that gives him notice of just what kind of people he's dealing with. Many mutants have it much worse than him in that regard.

"I think she'll adore it. And she'll look damn good in it," he smiles.

Colleen Wing has posed:
She smiles up at him from her position on the floor beside the box. "You really think so? I mean I think she will. I know she likes a lot of the items here in Chinatown. I mean you would never find this in Chinatown. No, this is not a cheap knockoff. This was made in Honshu. Can you believe I used to wear this to like social gatherings and stuff?" She lifts it slightly out of the box to look at it a bit closer.

"I think the meaning behind it will be something she will like. A special gift. ANd the good part is, I do not have to spend any money on it." She gives him a wink and settles it back down into the box. "She does not even know I have it, so I think that works in my favor."

She gives him an affirmative nod and a smile. "Oh she will look simply adorable in it. That I know for certain. Yeah, I think it is settled. If you agree she will like it, then it is decided. The two of us both cannot be wrong."

Warren Worthington has posed:
Warren Worthington nods, "Between the two of us, we could provably figure out anything," he jokes.

"I look forward to seeing her in it. And seeing you again sometime, now that we've made friends," he says. "I'm afraid I can't stay long, I have an engagement uptown and with the cross-winds in between the buildings, getting towards that part of the city can be a bitch this time of night," he says. "I also want to speak to you sometime about maybe some training - It's always good to broaden my skillset. And if anyone can teach a fighter with wings..." he says with a smirk.

Colleen Wing has posed:
At hearin ghis need for departure, Collen rises closes the box and rises from the floor, giving her guest a nod. "Between the two of us, Kitty is not going to know what hit her." She slowly makes her way to the curtain leading into the dojo, intent on sowing him out properly. "Absolutley Mr. Worthington. We can arrange some private lessons whenever it is convienent for you. Deal? Just let me know what you think you might want to work on and I can see to it that you get hat you are seeking."

After he departs, she locks the door and makes her way back into her living space, looking doen at all the Chinese food on the table. "Well, I am set for the weekend."