17181/The Best Cat(woman) Ever

The Best Cat(woman) Ever
Date of Scene:	14 February 2024
Location:	Bristol Township
Synopsis:	Mania and Catwoman cross paths. Mania..fangirls a bit. Catwoman handles it like a pro.
Cast of Characters:	Selina Kyle, Andi Benton

---

Selina Kyle has posed:
Bristol Township doesn't get a lot of traffic. The people who live here are among Gotham's wealthiest, and they can both afford estates with plenty of land as well as high-end security systems.

They also aren't big fan of solicitors or uninvited guests.

Selina Kyle knows all of this, and is not deterred. If anything, she is even more intrigued. She does her research, as always, which is why she is scouting the neighborhood tonight. According to the society pages, one of these prominent families (name withheld) is undergoing a very messy divorce. The same society article just *happened* to post a partial list of family assets that are frozen in probate. And curiously enough, one such asset is a valuable painting of a cat lounging in a sunbeam.

Catwoman is just returning from that estate, having completed her recon of the grounds and the house. Apparently the society article was also correct that both spouses have vacated the home pending resolution of the divorce, which could be some time. She's made a list of the systems, guards, electronics, and even whether the house has a backup generator. Slinking away, she keeps to the shadows in the woods as she walks to where her bike is stashed down the hill.

Andi Benton has posed:
Ask Andi Benton how she ended up here, and she'd probably have no good answer. It wasn't because Mania just..decided to go there. That's not really a thing, not as far as Andi knows.

Really, exploration was the name of the game on this day, starting first by going over to Gotham City, then wandering to see where curiosity (and weblines) took her. Host and bond knew this was Batman's turf, so there was also that wonder about whether or not he'd come find her. So far, no.

Then, the strange-looking being went over to Bristol Township, making her way through the wooded area.

<<Mania>> This is not like the bigger cities, Andi.
<<Andi>> Don't tell me being around nature is bothering you.
<<Mania>> No. Why would it bother us?
<<Andi>> Because I know. You're not the only one who can tell what the other is feeling all the time.

There's no direct response to the internal conversation. Not far off, there appears to be a motorcycle of some kind. "Wonder who left that there," Mania says out loud, though quietly. The inky black being with the white spider insignia and eyes closes in on it for a better look.

Selina Kyle has posed:
Selina Kyle doesn't relax as she approaches the motorcycle; partially out of professional decorum and all that, but mostly out of a healthy sense of self-preservation bordering on paranoia. She moves very quietly, even through the undergrowth, and she pauses when the bike is just within sight.

She senses that something is wrong, even before spotting the figure in black with the white spider insignia. And it started out being such a wonderful night, too.

She keeps one hand near the handle of the whip that is wrapped around her waist and steps out of the underbrush, goggles still in place. "If you're selling cookies, they have a 'no solicitation' policy in this neighborhood. Thought I'd save you the trouble."

Andi Benton has posed:
Mania's eyes, some strange white shapes that appear to crawl partly up the sides of the head toward a set of spiky black 'hair,' widen with interest. Either this one is wearing a hooded mask of some kind..or there's just no mouth. When words are spoken, there is a duality to the voice, like a blend of two different ones. "We wouldn't be very good at selling cookies. We'd eat them all, especially if they were chocolate ones."

<<Andi>> You just never miss a chance to bring up chocolate, do you?

No tangible answer to that, inwardly or out.

Then, a tilt of the head, a hand tipped with claws resting against a spiky hip belt that seems to serve no purpose. Very punk/goth look. "Oooh, wait. Are you who we think you are?" For all this 'we' being said, there's nobody else with Mania, not a soul nearby.

Selina Kyle has posed:
Black costume and referring to themself (or, rather, themselves) in plural third-person. Not a good sign, Selina. She chuckles, red lips pulling into a wry smile at the question.

"Well now, I suppose that all depends on who you think I am, kitten." she replies, with just a hint of purring. "I might ask you the same question, though. Nice claws, by the way."

Catwoman strikes a similar pose, and Mania isn't the only one with claws. Except Catwoman would definitely sense as human; a human wearing leather and steel.

Andi Benton has posed:
Mania senses as..well, it might all depend on how much experience Catwoman has with things like her, black-suited creatures that refer to themselves in the plural rather than the singular. If nothing else, the way the eyes are shaped indicates joy of some kind.

<<Mania>> Did you hear that? She called us 'kitten.'
<<Andi>> Can you stay focused? I think I know who that is.

"We are Mania, and we love cats!" is blurted out, though that particular side of the voice sounds a bit more alien, less with the apparent woman within. This is further evidenced by a hand lifting to rub over her face, that more human side grumbling, "Oh, for the love of.."

Hands come back down to the hips, where the fingers flex for a moment. "Yes, our claws are nice. So are yours. You're Catwoman, aren't you? You're very famous." The sight of the woman in her catsuit is taken in. "This is yours?" The motorcycle is indicated.

Selina Kyle has posed:
Selina Kyle smiles warmly at the positive declaration regarding cats. She even purrs a little. "Mmmmm, well, now. It's always good to start a conversation by rubbing someone the right way." she offers, giving the dark figure another look.

"Yes, I'm Catwoman. You guessed it in one." The wry smile remains, her weight shifting from one side to the other. "And I've seen you on the internet. New York City, right? There were others like you, but not everyone was getting along." Relaxing a little, Catwoman takes a step closer and nods when Mania gestures to the bike. "That's mine, yes. It's more discreet to go in on foot sometimes." Speaking of which... "Isn't this neighborhood a bit upscale for you, by the way? No offense, but the guest lists around here are usually pretty exclusive."

Andi Benton has posed:
The Gotham City catburglar may be the first to notice it: a pair of cat ears forming atop Mania's head, amid the spiky..well, it isn't exactly hair, but close enough. Then a couple seconds later, Mania reaches up to feel at them.

<<Andi>> What are you doing?
<<Mania>> We like cats! She is a cat! Or a person dressed like a cat. Sort of. We are trying to help her like us!
<<Andi>> This isn't happening.

"I can't go anywhere with you.." she finishes verbally, suggesting perhaps a conversation in progress, but that wouldn't make sense. Would it? "Uh..yes. We were trying to protect people. We like helping others. And we won't tell anybody you're here." The question of what /Mania/ is doing here is a valid one, and after a bit of a pause there's a strikingly honest answer.

"We don't really know. Sometimes we just go where we go. Seeing something, or a place we haven't been to before."

It's more Mania who adds, "You're the best cat ever!" It could be weird if it wasn't almost..endearing?

Selina Kyle has posed:
Beneath the mask, Selina's eyebrows rise as the Mania figure slowly sprouts cat ears. Very much like the ones built into her own costume, coincidentally enough. She reaches up with one hand to lightly cover her mouth, disguising the silent chuckle.

"The best cat ever? Darling, you don't know many cats if you're saying that. Cat's don't compete, because competition is beneath us. Only the insecure feel the need to compete." Which probably explains a lot.

Her head tilts, and the mask thankfully hides any blushing as she pads and sways closer. "I wouldn't have picked you for a fan, honestly. That's not to say that I'm not extremely flattered. Unlike a -natural- feline, however, I won't pretend to ignore you and look the other way."

She says nothing about -her- reason to be here, and staking out a possible job.

Andi Benton has posed:
Mania clears her throat. Or something. "Oh, we know your reputation. But we know you've done some good things too. And we don't see you doing anything bad right now, so we don't have any reason to try to stop you." It's a moment of seriousness that probably comes from a more intense internal conversation, lest Catwoman think this creature, this 'Mania,' is just some starstruck pushover.

At least one half may be, as the ears remain there.

Andi's voice is the more dominant one right now, a sigh following. "Look, my..friend is...okay, sometimes we..I don't really know how to put it. A lot of stuff is new, if you know what I mean." She's tip-toeing around just saying whatever it is, hoping Catwoman will figure at least some of it out. "But we do like cats. And you look, uh, great in that. Better than the crappy pictures out there." Of which there are probably not many.

"We weren't tailing you, if you're wondering. But it's nice to meet you." She picks at a couple claws with a thumb. They look even more natural than the ones Catwoman possesses.

Selina Kyle has posed:
Catwoman does chuckle softly at that, and it's a deep, resonant, almost purring sound. "Relax, honey, I am not Gotham's gatekeeper that unique costumed-types need to check in with. Although if you -do- plan on helping out in Gotham, you definitely need to tell Him." There's a pause, and she mimics two pointed ears with her fingers now. "The Bat, I mean. Mister Tall, Dark, and Brooding. He likes to know who is in His city, no matter which side they're on."

Sounds like she knows him somewhat well.

"It sounds like you two have some things you need to sort out, but I'm glad to hear that your opinion of cats isn't something that's in question. And thanks, I'm glad you like the suit. It's been a work in progress."

Catwoman shifts her weight again, cocking her hip. "Yours is wonderful, I must say. Custom fit? Looks like you just put it on with a spray can."

Andi Benton has posed:
"We met him, once. Or saw him in action. We were trying to have a nice night and enjoy ourselves, but everything got crazy and he helped deal with it," Mania says. Short on details, but Catwoman can probably fill in a few blanks from personal experience. "Didn't really get to say hi."

Here and now, Mania is studying Catwoman's mannerisms, the way everything seems to be under control for her. "We kind of like the vibe in Gotham. It's..yes." She snaps fingers at the 'dark' and 'brooding' mentions. "Those things too, for the city. And him. You go through a lot of those?" she wonders, gesturing to the costume, the leathers, the rest. "You like it? It's..yes. Custom." Best not to give away just how it works. Not yet. Now she's the one who starts a bit of circling, a visual inspection.

Selina Kyle has posed:
Selina Kyle chuckles softly, shaking her head. "No, He really isn't the social type. He has a lot of partners in this City, but he still thinks he does his best work alone."

She obviously disagrees.

As Mania begins circling and studying her, Catwoman shifts her stance enough to remain facing her new... friend. "I'm wearing the most durable leather I could find, but it still gets scuffed and torn. It's a good thing that I'm handy with a sewing machine. I used to wear much more lightweight fabric, but it was sometimes almost a scandal by the time I got home."

Andi Benton has posed:
Mania acknowledges, "We like going off on our own too, but sometimes.." Hands gesture with palms up, as if to say there are instances where it can't be helped, where another set of eyes are needed.

It is difficult to tell if it's /just/ a costume or something more organic. Closer inspection suggests possibly the latter, as there is a sort of texture to it that no real material has been shown to possess. "Leather is good, but yeah, you have to repair it. Adjust it." The eyes hint at a sense of mirth from the admission that there were times Catwoman was..showing off a bit. Finally, she shares, "This is a part of us."

Selina Kyle has posed:
Okay, so that's new. 'This is a part of us.' Definitely not typical, even for Gotham. Catwoman steps a little closer, reaching out without quite touching. "No wonder the fit is so good." she replies. "That's a nice trick. Don't suppose it's something you could teach someone? Asking for a friend."

Another switch of her hip follows the question. "I'm still experimenting with fabrics, but I've found that a tear-resistance backing is really helpful." Selina points to Manic's cat ears, then. "You going to keep those, by the way? I don't mind, but people will think you're part of the franchise. Another Cat-girl to go with all of those Bat-kids."

Andi Benton has posed:
They're still there? Andi's going to have to scold Mania about that later. Just after they're pointed out, they disappear. "..no. At least not all the time," she answers, sounding mildly admonished, whether it was intended or not.

"And..it isn't something we can exactly teach. It's complicated." Last thing she needs to do is just launch right into explaining what a symbiote is, and how the host/bond relationship works. "If you've heard of Venom, we're like him in ways, but different in others. We are definitely not like Carnage." Which is the kind of name that carries no good things with it.

Then she makes a show of forming a ball of webbing in her hand. "We learned this from Spider-Man." It's absorbed back into the hand, tendrils curling around it, then she aims a strand of webbing at a nearby tree branch, sticking it up easily. In a few minutes, it'll disintegrate. "He was a good mentor when we needed one."

Selina Kyle has posed:
"Not everyone in this business gets a good mentor. Or ANY mentor, for that matter." Catwoman replies. "I think that's why we try so hard to talk kids OUT of this business, and once they ignore us we take them under our wing."

"And I didn't think it was something you could teach, but I had to ask." Catwoman adds. "But I'm familiar with being misunderstood as well. I've been arrested and booked, but somehow manage to be absent by the time of trial."

She smiles sweetly at the last part, especially. "I get around the old-fashioned way. I climb, and when I can't climb I use my whip to help with the swinging and jumping." It has other uses as well, but she doesn't elaborate on those.

Andi Benton has posed:
Demonstration over, Mania's hands settle at her hips once more. "Things might have been very different," she says. The suggestion, of course, is what could have happened if she had no mentor, nobody to help her grow into this.

"Oh, yes. We've heard there are many here who don't, uh, stay in Arkham very long. If they even get there." She gestures in a circle, adding, "That all must keep Batman very busy."

A simple nod to the talk of climbing, and using the whip. Catwoman doesn't have special abilities to scale walls like some others, unless the claws work. "The webs help a lot. Maybe we can show you more, but we are getting hungry." Once again, the more Mania side of the two chimes in. "Time for chocolate!" The more Andi side shrugs and holds out her hands helplessly. "It's a freaking addiction, but better than the alternative." Something cryptic there, no explanation forthcoming this time.

Finally, there's a wave and an invitation. "DM us sometime if you want to talk again! You can go back to the things we didn't see you doing at all now!" Time to web on out of there.