18402/I Know an Aficionado

I Know an Aficionado
Date of Scene:	23 June 2024
Location:	Themysciran Arts Center
Synopsis:	The Langs surprise Sofia in more ways that one (part 1)
Cast of Characters:	Scott Lang, Sofia Maroni

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Scott Lang has posed:
Scott Lang is brought into the arena quietly. Guards swarm him as if he's a celebrity to be kept out of view, almost like a celebrity. There's a reason for it, he's about to toss a lot of money at them. Lots of it, like, thank God my house is paid off, types of money. He'll move around the arena where Sofia is busy in combat.

Scott just waits quietly. He does ponder an inevitability. Sofia is a Goddess. She may be used to having the admiration of people because she's a Maroni, an Amazon, a Goddess, a hero and many other things. But this inevibility almost screeches itself into reality.

"KICK HER BUTT SOFIA!" Cassie Lang screams as she's with her Dad. The reason he's about to toss a lot of coin at the amazon is self-defense classes for his daughter. Amazonian combat years before dating. Yes. Please. Now. Yesterday. How much? And Cassie's cry is the inevbility. Has Sofia ever been cheered simply because it's her. The Goddess with the adoration of a child, something very pure. What will a Goddess do with that adoration behind her?

"Cass," Scott lightly chides. Oh, he wanted this to happen. He counted on this. Scott knows his daughter, but still Dad has to Dad, even if he secretly approves.

Scott will just raise his brows in a "Well?/Sorry!" type motion.

Now, the Langs are spectating Sofia.

However, the fight goes, whatever Sofia needs to do, the Langs will wait.

When she comes to them, Cassie almost launches herself at Sofia. It's a run and sort of jump into a hug. "Hi! You're coming with us for Ice cream?!"

Scott smiles, "She brought up ice cream. I said 'I know an aficionado of ice cream.' So, we're here wondering if you would join us," he's totally inviting to join them for Ice Cream. Together.

Cassie's wearing a pair of light jeans, a simple pair of purple and white shoes. A red shirt that has Sally from Nightmare before Christmas that says, "Cute Little Doll."

Scott's wearing a pair of black jeans, a button up shirt that's lavender and a white t-shirt. And Scott is clearly dressing to impress a little bit. Not a ton. There's just a clear effort at work.

Sofia Maroni has posed:
Sofia Maroni has been training almost daily with the Amazons for some time now, and it's starting to show. Gladius and shield, she spars with an Amazon warrior and the two move together like it was some sort of dance. Metal clangs rapidly on metal, and they make it look very easy.

Only it's not. Not really. Sofia hears Cassie's familiar yell and her mouth twitches into a small smile. It doesn't affect her focus, but at the next opportunity she steps back quickly and lowers her weapons. "Hold!" she calls out.

The other Amazon acknowledges, offering a grin at the sight of the audience before nodding.

Sofia is wearing a brown leather bodice and Spartan-style fighting skirt. Gauntlets, greaves and boots complete her outfit, and the sweaty blonde turns towards the pair just as Cassie launches herself into the embrace. "Ice cream? You came all this way to offer ice cream?" The arm with the shield embraces Cassie in return.

Scott Lang has posed:
"You travel long and far good icr cream," Scott says like this is nothing unusual or odd. "And maybe company."

Cassie, "Let her finish the match. C'mon," he will wave her back to their spot.

"But I mean if you don't want really good ice cream, that's on you. We offered," he grins and just speaks if they came just down the block instead of so far out. He shrugs casually.

Cassie may even give a slightly rehearsed sad face looking at Sofia.

"Either way me and cutie here will stay for the match. I'll bring pom poms next time and then we go from there," he just casually throws it out there. Scott does know this is a bit of surprise for Sofia. So, he's trying to turn off the pressure.

Sofia Maroni has posed:
Sofia Maroni smirks at that, turning back towards her sparring partner. "You sure you want to wait, then." But it's a rhetorical question only.

Shield and sword raised once more, Sofia clangs the latter against the former and settles into a ready stance. The combat dance resumes, with both combatants moving fast and smoothly. The Amazon is fast and strong, but so is Sofia. Perhaps, even, a little faster. And it's starting to show.

The blonde moves quickly, and she uses a good part of the arena to keep her opponent on the defensive. It's very different from her first combat here, and the other Amazon isn't taunting or coaching this time. No, both women are quite serious.

At last, Sofia blocks, turns and pivots to end up with the point of her sword resting against her opponent's bodice, just a few inches ahead of the sweeping shield. The two stop, the Amazon flashing a smile before stepping back to exchange salutes. "You're using your speed. Very good, Sofia. You fight well."

Scott Lang has posed:
Scott pulls Cassie close. The pair of Langs watch. Leaning down, Scott will whisper. "You'll be doing this one day," he watches Sofia moving quickly. Scott sees the lack fo taunts. The way the combat seems more serious. Like when Black Widow fights someone compared to Thor. Thor will sometimes get boastful. Although, he would not want to fight either.

"Hell yeah she does," Scott says a little -too- quickly after that compliment to Sofia comes out. Then he blushes a little bit knowing Scott just chided Cassie for a similar outburst.

Sofia Maroni has posed:
Sofia Maroni is flushed, the Amazon is flushed, and both are breathing quickly. And sweaty. Sofia sheathes the sword, unslinging the shield from her other arm as she strides towards the weapon rack. "C'mon over, Cassie." she calls out, with a nod of her head.

She flashes a look to Scott, then, sneaking in the twitch of a smile as well. "So you like watching girls fight with swords?"

Scott Lang has posed:
Cassie runs toward Sofia. "Yeah. Dad says I'll be starting in two or three weeks," Cassie says as she rushes over to Sofia.

Scott just smirks as he is flashed that look. There's a reason why they let him get snuck in. He doens't have to give them cash. However, they aren't going to stop him to say the least.

Scott's look to Sofia just says, "Your move." So, it's up to her to see if the bar can be raised.

Sofia Maroni has posed:
Sofia Maroni's eyes meet Scott's and she drops to one knee, having to look up to meet Cassie's eyes now. "They won't start you with metal weapons, at least not at first." she says, drawing the sword all the same. Reversing her grip, she offers the hilt to Cassie. "Treat every weapon with respect, Cassie. It'll feel heavy, but only at first."

Her gaze shifts over to Scott, then, and there's a little wink. "I didn't know that you'd be training with the Amazons, though. When did that happen?"

Scott Lang has posed:
A lot of different people told similars lessons at the Avengers. Scott's happy that Cassie is hearing this lesson from someone she would trust.

Cassie nods and takes the weapon. She'll grunt a little trying not to let the weight show, or initmidate her. A matter of pride since she sees this as maybe Sofia's weapon.

"When Mom talked about me taking Martial Arts. Dad said, 'I know something better!'"

He shrugs from his spot, "Well, I figured the only way Cassie was getting anything comparable to this would be training under a Master. Like one of those travel across the country ronin-like Masters," he looks at Sofia then the others. "I figured amazons with years, decades and maybe even centuries, of experience under their belt would know what they're doing," Scott just says matter of factly.

"It's a new development," he'll add.

Sofia Maroni has posed:
Sofia Maroni smiles warmly and she rises, taking a step back as she watches Cassie feel the heft of the sword. "There are many such teachers throughout the world, but the Avengers have access to the best." she offers, shooting Scott a quick, knowing look.

Giving Cassie a few moments to get the feel for the sword, Sofia extends her hand. "That's right, always offer a weapon hilt-first, for both safety and courtesy." The blonde handles the weapon lightly, toned muscles in her forearm and bicep tensing a little. With a practiced gesture, she reverses the sword and slides it easily into the scabbard.

"You can train with me anytime, Cassie." she declares, then.

"If we're going for ice cream, THIS girl is going to want a shower first." Pause. "And trust me when I say that you will want me to shower first as well."

Scott Lang has posed:
Scott waves a hand away. It's like he's trying to swat it away. Those pale green eyes focused on the pair.

Cassie just pauses for a moment then is quick to say, "PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE!" as she wants to path Sofia. That's something she would lvoe to do. Cassie sees Sofia as a hero due to what she could do. So, the chance to do anything with her would be the same with doing such activities with Supergirl, Black Widow and the like.

Scott nods, "We've got a little time before the shop closes," Scott offers and he grins. A few things going through the man's mind. Hoever, he holds those to the chest for now.