17815/Marching into Hell... for Schnitzel!

Marching into Hell... for Schnitzel!
Date of Scene:	30 April 2024
Location:	The Rathskeller - Hellfire Club
Synopsis:	Let me tell you 'bout the Cats and the ants.
Cast of Characters:	Selina Kyle, Hank Pym

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Selina Kyle has posed:
Having no jobs or other nocturnal activities planned, the evening finds Selina Kyle camped in the Hellfire Club's old-world bar. More specifically, she is perched on a bar stool in the corner with a good view of the door.

Wearing a velvet cocktail dress with a low neckline and a high hemline, the black-haired woman toys with a glass of wine while nibbling on a tapas platter.

She looks to be either bored or waiting for someone.

Hank Pym has posed:
Hank Pym doesn't make an entrance really, he just enters. The reason for this is not readily apparent. He's tall with an athletic build. His looks are not half bad. His blazer and slacks are classic always fashionable and not worn or soiled.

The book: Enzymes and the Genetic Sequencing he holds is a bit unusual for the venue. It's his aversion to humans that sets him apart. Fear? Loathing? Frustration? It's ambiguous as he is shown to the bar to wait. He sits next to Selina, nodding politely.

Selina Kyle has posed:
Selina Kyle sees everything; it's simply in her nature. She spots Hank as he unobtrusively enters the Club (can anyone be truly unobtrusive in the Hellfire Club?), and sizes him up before he's taken six steps. The cut of his blazer and slacks show good taste along with wealth. Same with the shoes. The stride of an athlete, yet the quiet demeanor of a scholar.

He nods and she turns more fully towards him, swiveling on her perch. "Good evening." she murmurs thickly. "Not a lot of people bring a book into a bar." And from her tone it's pretty clear that she doesn't intend to let him do much reading.

Hank Pym has posed:
Hank Pym raises an eyebrow and says, "Groucho Marx was quoted as saying, outside of a dog a book is a man's best friend. Inside a dog it is too dark to read. I'm not a lot of people. I'm Dr. Henry 'Hank' Pym. Also known as Giant-Man. I do the Avengers' homework for them. I think I know you..." He extends a hand, cautiously as if dealing with a new form of life. His pupils dilate a little but not to the extent other men's do when regarding Selina.

Selina Kyle has posed:
Selina Kyle also does her homework, of course, and she recognizes Hank from the tabloids. And especially when he introduces himself. "You recognize me?" she replies almost coyly. Her head tilts, green eyes widening with believable innocence as she extends her hand as well. Slender fingers, short nails, and a nice manicure. "Selina Kyle, and it's a pleasure to meet you, Doctor Pym. I'm something of a minor philanthropist in Gotham, nothing more."

Hank Pym has posed:
Hank Pym takes the hand and does not release it immediately. "I know where I remember you from now. My ex wife Janet dragged me to another interminable fund raiser. I think you made her a little insecure. I thank you for that. She's a wonderful woman but she needed a few more knocks in her life. At least when I knew her... oh. here is your hand back. Please excuse my lack of social graces. I've lived in the wild for a great deal of time, studying ants." He releases her hand.

"You are quite lovely. If I were a woman, I'd be walking on eggshells around you. You're from Gotham, correct?" He orders a club soda while listening to her.

Selina Kyle has posed:
Selina Kyle's eyes brighten at two things: the mention of Janet and Selina making her feel a little insecure. She even gives a little chuckle by way of a response. As for her hand? Selina isn't in a hurry to retrieve it, and her fingers wander a little in a light caress.

"Studying ants? If I had a nickle for every time I heard -that- old excuse..." Selina crosses one leg over the other, then, basking in the compliments. "I've lived in Gotham all my life, I'm sorry to say. But the view has certainly improved as I've gotten older."

Hank Pym has posed:
Hank Pym smiles a little, leaves his hand for another caress if she chooses.

Wait! A question he is unsure of. That in itself except the subject is humans, specifically woman, and specifically a very attractive woman.

"You have to excuse me for asking this but, I haven't had a date in years and before that I married young and fast. Am I flirting right now? Also if I am... what should I do next?"

Selina Kyle has posed:
Oh, this is too rich! Selina lets out a soft, amused sound and tilts her head playfully. "Because you're -clearly- not faking, I won't charge for the lesson."

Selina takes his hand and casually rests it upon her knee, just above the bend without being too close to the hem of the short dress. "Wave the bartender over and order another glass of wine for me, then move your fingers a little, like I was doing with your hand just now."

She watches his face before continuing. "This next part is the most difficult, especially for guys who were married. I'm -not- your wife, so don't assume anything. We've already introduced and you've complimented me, so you're well underway to flirting."

Hank Pym has posed:
Hank Pym regards her seriously for a moment. He turns to order the wine as instructed. Then he looks back at her and says, "I'm a scientist. I do not make baseless assumptions. I gather data. You are maintaining eye and skin contact. I theorize you have some interest. Moreso, you are instructing me to perform a PDA. More evidence for being interested. The interest seems to be fading.. I will attribute that to my use of scientific terminology. I'll stop and say, you're a very engaging woman. Also very patient."

Selina Kyle has posed:
Selina Kyle's eyes brighten at his words and she laughs softly, shaking her head. Taking his hand from her leg, she lifts it to her lips and lightly kisses the knuckle. "By 'interest' you are, of course, limiting things to sexual interest. Sometimes with a woman that isn't the starting line, but rather the destination. Don't try to cut corners. Build a friendship first, and who knows?" Releasing his hand, she drains her glass since another is on the way. "And if women have -learned- to be patient, it is mostly because men have made it necessary."

Hank Pym has posed:
Hank Pym says, "Interest is not limited to the possibility of sexual relations by any means. I enjoy stimulating conversation. It's intellectually stimulating. Conversations rarely keep my interest. I find most people dull. Especially when they try to talk about science. You have kept this discussion in areas I have... limited experience in and it is quite stimulating. I am enjoying learning about you."

"I further note your features, aside from your beauty have the contours of someone strong but used to smiling and the gentler emotions. I find this most attractive."

Hank leans a little closer, "What do you find interesting about me?" He smiles a little.

Selina Kyle has posed:
Selina Kyle leans an elbow on the bar, resting her cheek against that hand as she watches him. "I have never had anyone be so straightforward with me before, to be very honest." She pauses, giving an absent hand-wave, then. "Aside from the typical 'hey baby, wanna come home with me' schtick. I am mostly used to men who hide their feelings, or worse yet don't even admit their feelings."

Selina shrugs lightly, then. "Of course you could be faking all of this in some sort of sophisticated bait-and-switch ploy... this IS the Hellfire Club, after all... but you're not." No explanation; she just seems to -know-.

"A lot of men prefer women who are subservient. They are put off by strong, independent women. I get the impression that your ex-wife is a strong woman."

Hank Pym has posed:
Hank Pym sighs. "Janet was strong, too strong perhaps. My first wife, Maria... she was the best part of me. When she died I died. The KGB killed her. So neither was typical. I would never address you as baby. It's patronizing, which I am not. As for straightforward... what is the point of games? You're a beautiful woman, the apex life form of this venue. You have obviously heard all the lines. I note that honesty is usually in short supply in this situation. It seems my best tack. Before this goes further... would you like to share a table with me for dinner? I can make suggestions if you are unfamiliar with German food. Number one, substitute Spaetzel for fried potatoes. Always. Number two, order the red cabbage."

Selina Kyle has posed:
"French, Italian, and Spanish, but I'm afraid no German." Selina replies. "And yes, dinner would be wonderful." She doesn't deny either being beautiful or the apex lifeform in the Club. Instead, she eases off of her stool and slips her arm in his own. "And thank you, Hank Pym, for choosing conversation over your book."