17388/Meanwhile, back at the Cat lair...

Meanwhile, back at the Cat lair...
Date of Scene:	09 March 2024
Location:	Catwoman Lair
Synopsis:	Catwoman runs into Mania again, in New York this time. They go for take-out.
Cast of Characters:	Selina Kyle, Andi Benton

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Selina Kyle has posed:
After disrupting the arms deal with the heroes in Hell's Kitchen, Selina Kyle quietly slunk away to a New York safehouse. She managed to pick up a full assortment of the alien weapon tech, but for the moment she hasn't decided what to do with it. They're unique, but definitely not her style.

They aren't very pretty, either.

That will probably be a conversation she has later with Batgirl. As evening falls the next night and the Cat is bored. Bored and hungry. She opens the window and steps out quietly onto the fire escape, pulling her goggles down as she closes the window behind her.

Andi Benton has posed:
New York City is Mania's stomping grounds, and with the footwear she typically goes with, the stomping business is often good. Late night is usually her best time for getting out on patrol, easily handled by crossing rooftops and buildings through a mix of parkour-like moves and good ol' webslinging inspired by none other than Spider-Man.

Little does she know a recent person she met is also in the neighborhood, surveying what she sees. A couple buildings over, Catwoman might spot movement. It can only mean one thing when it's someone traversing city blocks this way. That's no normal human.

Selina Kyle has posed:
Selina Kyle gives her surroundings a routine sweep before stepping off the fire escape, and that's when she spots movement. Fast movement. Inhumanly fast. Lashing out with the whip, she swings down and under the next fire escape, kicking upward to land lightly on the roof for a better look.

It only takes a moment, then Catwoman is sprinting along the roof ledge before launching herself over to the next.

Andi Benton has posed:
Mania's not trying to set any speed records - after all, the symbiote isn't bonded to, say, a cheetah - but she's still quick. One might get a sense of graceful motion mixed with a little bit of a primal side. A predator on the prowl.

<<Mania>> Quiet night, Andi.
<<Andi>> Quiet nights are good nights. That means people are okay. Are you complaining?
<<Mania>> No, but we are getting bored.
<<Andi>> Well, what would you rather do?
<<Mania>> Eat chocolate!
<<Andi>> It always comes back to chocolate, doesn't it?
<<Mania>> It should. Chocolate is better than many things.

A few of the ways chocolate is better than many things is bantered back and forth, symbiote and bond chatting it up internally after pausing atop a four-story building to look out across the area below, surveying. One hand rests against a ventilation pipe, the other against a black hip, near a spiked belt.

Selina Kyle has posed:
It's only when Mania/Andi pauses to look around that they spot a familiar figure sprinting along a rooftop. Tight black leather, cat ears, trailing a whip as it is coiled up. And steadily making her way towards them.

Seeing that the familiar figure has paused, Catwoman pulls up short on the rooftop as well. And she waves boldly, flashing a wide grin.

Andi Benton has posed:
Mania tends to go with the faceless 'mask' look, just the eyes visible to help give away moods along with body language. With those able to convey expressions better than one might think, it does help. It's the symbiote that figures out they aren't alone first, even with Mania's back to the approaching feline fatale.

<<Mania>> Someone is coming.
<<Andi>> Oh?

She's already turning around in time to notice the wave from the top of the same building. The whip looks sort of like a tail with its placement, and the suit is immediately obvious who it belongs to. "Catwoman." The eyes sculpt into more of a shape that would go with a smile of Mania's own.

Of course, the alien half of the bond takes the opportunity to bring back something from the first encounter: shaped cat ears amid that spiky 'hair.' And, a vocalized, "Meow."

<<Andi>> Did you just..meow at her?
<<Mania>> We did!

Selina Kyle has posed:
Catwoman hears it, apparently, and she laughs. Slowing to a walk, the sleek villainess -saunters- closer now. And she steps right up to Andi/Mania this time, as close as the two will allow.

"Again with the ears. I'm flattered, darling." she purrs. "I suppose I'm in -your- neighborhood tonight, however. But it's very nice to see you, all the same."

Andi Benton has posed:
From her perspective, Mania is just a little shorter than Catwoman. The chunky shoes, which look to be a part of her, make up a little ground, though the catsuited one may have a little extra heel as well depending on her preferences.

All the same, Mania watches Catwoman very closely, very curiously, and if the woman is being especially bold she'll find Mania allows her to get /very/ near. She seems comfortable in her spot.

"Blame my other half," is more of Andi's voice in response, even if it's more amused than not. "We do like cats..a lot. Think of it as, uh, paying respect or something. It's..good to see you too."

For her part, for now, both hands come to rest at her hips. "Enjoying the city?"

Selina Kyle has posed:
Catwoman steps right up within easy reach, although she waits for Mania to make the first move otherwise. Eyes are hidden behind the goggles, but those full lips curl into an amused smile when hands rest on her hips. Catwoman drapes her own arms casually over Andi/Mania's shoulders in return, hips shifting lazily as if she had a tail to wave.

"Like I said, it's flattering. No blame is necessary." she purrs. "You two are... complicated, aren't you?" A hand lifts, trailing lightly over one of Mania's cat ears. Truth is, Selina did some research after their first meeting. There isn't a lot of information about symbiotes, unless you know where to look. Or have access to someone with Batman's resources.

"There was some excitement over in Hell's Kitchen last night. You might want to watch for Russian Mafia and exotic weapons."

Andi Benton has posed:
Even the way she is, there is a hint of surprise in Mania's eyes when Catwoman's arms slide over her shoulders and the movement is much like a cat expressing interest. Head tilts at the purring tone to the woman's words, then the eyes slant upward further, a conveying of some pleasure as claw-tipped hands of her own settle at Catwoman's hips, right up against the coiled whip. Almost looks like two black-suited dancers about to start up.

Though, when the 'ear' is explored, the contact comes with an audible 'chrrr' of sound, akin to her own purring. It appears to be felt, and feel good at that.

Maybe no surprise that the answer is a little distracted, slightly slow. "Very..complex, yes," she agrees. "And we heard about something. Bad people. And nasty weapons?"

Definitely distracted.

Selina Kyle has posed:
Catwoman keeps her gloved, clawed fingertip tracing up and down over the peak of Mania's cat ear while they talk, her gaze focused there curiously. "Some armored green guy on a rocket glider showed up as well. Blew up a truck. Took some weapons." Of course so did she, but that's not really part of the discussion.

"Energy weapons. Pulse rifles. Gloves that shoot lightning. Implosion grenades. really nasty things. Keep an eye out, in case others slipped out into public distribution."

She studies Mania more closely, then. "I won't ask your story and you don't have to tell me anything. But you seem alright to me." she declares.

Andi Benton has posed:
The fact the ear is responsive to the touch makes it even more obvious this is someone with an unusual side. If Catwoman learned anything about symbiotes - whatever's out there - through her connections including Batman? Well, there has been enough seen of Mania, Venom, and Carnage to provide some hints. Morphing, strength, speed, lots of sharp teeth, things like that.

Unaware of it, Mania's head dips further into the contact as that finger trails around the shape of the ear, and her own fingers clench at Catwoman's side. Gently, but felt. "Mmmm."

<<Mania>> Andi, it feels..
<<Andi>> I can ask her to stop.
<<Mania>> No! Why would you do that?
<<Andi>> I was..kidding.

"Sounds like stuff..from a video game," she answers, those all-white eyes somehow managing to give off the sense of going half-closed, lidded. "We will..watch for them. And be careful. And we like that we're all right to you."

Selina Kyle has posed:
Catwoman chuckles and continues lightly playing over that ear, the sound a deep and throaty purr. Yes, she can see and hear the reaction to her touch as well.

"Do you know who the green guy might have been? He threw pumpkin bombs and cackled as he flew around." Pause "Come to think of it, he'd fit in really well in Gotham."

"And yeah, I got to see those weapons in action. But an idiot with a fancy weapon is still an idiot."

Andi Benton has posed:
Mania's distraction left her not even answering the mention of the troublemaker in the situation described. "We..may have seen something for him, but we haven't dealt with him. Seems familiar, though." If Catwoman's intent is to keep Mania a little off-balance with the ear thing..it's working. Or maybe it's just a shared enjoyment thing. She does love her cats, and Mania mimics a purr in response.

"Idiots with dangerous weapons..are dangerous idiots," she responds. "Would we..fit well in Gotham too?" The fingers flex a few more times at Catwoman's side, getting familiar with the material of the catsuit.

Selina Kyle has posed:
Catwoman's hips shift when she feels those flexing hands on her hips, rocking left and then right. She chuckles softly at the question. "Darling, Gotham is complicated enough already." Her head tilts, then, and that trailing finger wanders over to the other cat ear.

"That's not to say you wouldn't be welcome. This arms deal was definitely between Gotham goons and the Russian Mafia. That in itself is concerning."

Andi Benton has posed:
"We know Batman doesn't like strangers there," Mania adds in response, though it's about the same level as distraction as before, if not more, when the /other/ cat ear is focused on. There's another little 'mmm' and what sounds like a low groan, and not in a bad way.

She continues, "We liked some of the buildings. Very..us. But anything with the mafia..very bad." Even she's careful with them, out of a need to protect her father. It was dangerous enough when Carnage was loose.

Hands stay in the safe zone, content with that for now.

Selina Kyle has posed:
Catwoman tilts her head, watching and listening to Mania's reaction. Curious. Amused. "Yes. Batman likes to know who comes and goes in His city. At the very least you should introduce yourself to him."

She shifts her weight from one foot to the other, hips rocking. "So what brings you out tonight? I was heading out to find some Chinese take-out or something. Any recommendations?"

Andi Benton has posed:
Mania responds with, "He did see us..once." That she's aware of. It's kind of like being busted for drunk driving. It's not the first time. It's just the time someone caught you.

She shows no inclination to change the current situation, definitely enjoying it. It's probably good that Mania hasn't formed a tail. Might be she just hasn't thought to. "Oh..there are a lot of good places to eat here. We could find one."