1920/Stakeout or Steakout

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Stakeout or Steakout
Date of Scene: 31 May 2020
Location: Happy Tails Petstore
Synopsis: No description
Cast of Characters: Jessica Drew, Achilles




Jessica Drew has posed:
The drive up through the burgeoning spring countryside of upper State New York had given the two of them ample time to talk about music preferences. Both of them being wildly eclectic: Angelo preferring orchestral music and Jessica liking bluegrass, jazz, and classical music but willing to explore just about any genre of music. During the last hour, they've listened to the Charlie Daniel's Band. Angelo never ceases to surprise her; she's not sure she can take Charlie Daniels in large doses.

"What is it with punny names for pet shops, Angelo? Happy Tails. Really? One of the ones on our list is called 'Doggie Style,' believe it or not. They have pulled up to about a block from their destination. "I thought we would watch for a while getting a feel for who customers are then after hours take a look at the parts of the store for their special clients."

Achilles has posed:
    Music is music. Back in the day, all of the electronics weren't remotely a thing. But back in the day... bronze was the big new thing. But ironically, Angelo is quick to keep up with things such as tech, but his tastes in art and music are slower to adapt to the times.
    Either way, he laughs at the Doggie Style name. With a shake of his head he shrugs, "We should take turns resting and watching. Would you like me to go in and inquire about adoption of a dog to get a visual of the internal layout?" he asks as he turns down the music that you are obviously not -that- in to.

Jessica Drew has posed:
The car might give them away. It has been reinforced with special bullet proof glass and doors but Jessica has dressed as a woman with money having a day in the country. Skinny jeans topped with a close fitting leather jacket and a blue striped tee shirt and expensive flats. Only her British accent would give her a way but she has been working at toning it down for just such circumstances as this.

"No, let's both go in and have a look together. Alright? Maybe grab a coffee on the way?"

Achilles has posed:
    "I am always up for a good cup of Joe." offers Angelo as he steps out of the car. "Perhaps we are looking for property in the area, being recent transplants from London?" he asks, allowing his own accent to thicken just a bit. "So, are we friends? siblings? A couple? What cover shall we use?" he asks as he turns to lean over and rest his elbows on top of the car.

Jessica Drew has posed:
"My taste in older men could make us look like a couple?" The question is posed with a straight face as she looks down the street to gauge the amount of foot traffic. Jessica glances sideways at him then away.

"Transplants work, then I don't have to use an American accent. It's odd, isn't it? I can do French, German, Irish, Italian accents but the American one eludes me."

Achilles has posed:
    "You should try Macedonian." offers Angelo as he turns to head around the car. "So love, shall we then?" he asks as he reaches a hand out, "Rule number one of a cover identity, live the role whenever there is a -chance- you could be in view by those you are trying to deceive." He gives you his smarmiest grin then..

Jessica Drew has posed:
Jessica's pauses, she looks briefly down as they catch hold of one another's fingers, adjusting herself to the feel of his hand. It takes an effort that she doesn't want him to see to treat it as though this was an everyday occurrence. His grin is returned with a faint head shake and an eye roll. 'How many hands has he held?' is the unbidden question that rises to the surface of her mind.

"So. We, ah, have been in the US for about a year. Looking at a country house. Want a dog? A cat?"

Achilles has posed:
    The odds are that he has held a lot of hands. He hasn't spent 3 millennia as a monk after all. But he takes a breath and is totally in character now, "Why not one of each? After all, if we are moving out here to start a family, it would be good to have all the trimmin's, yes?" he asks as he turns to start heading for the shop. He's in character now, not holding hands with a potential girlfriend for Angelo. It's the role, not the emotions here. The fact that he -can- separate his emotions from the job so easily might be disturbing though.

Jessica Drew has posed:
Taking her cue from Angelo, Jessica assumes the role. Professional that she is, she won't make the mistake of mixing their play acting for the real thing.

"One of each then." Talk of starting a family makes her uncomfortable enough to convince herself that this *is* playacting and his flattery the night of Tony Stark's birthday gala a function of being at the party surrounded by glitterati.

Achilles has posed:
    Regardless, Angelo doesn't break character. He just leads on towards the shop and pauses to open the door for his lovely .... partner. Yeah. That's what she is. He's trying to compartmentalize here, and is all professional even though he is really a good actor and playing the role well.
    Once inside, he just pauses to drag his eyes about the place...

Jessica Drew has posed:
The pet shop is very large, reminiscent of the chain stores that populate the country. A brightly lit row of well kept cages, odor free, some of them glass fronted and open in the back, lines the left side of the store. What looks like a playpen where customers can try out a new pet sits at the front, looking out over the street in the large display window that has a cage of purebred grey Schnauzer puppies gamboling next to a cage of baby ferrets. Prosperous, well cared for, it has no taint of an underground operation about it with its neatly stocked displays of merchandise.

Jessica doesn't say a word about these first impressions, playing her role, "So what were you thinking of for a breed, Dimitris?

Achilles has posed:
    "Well, my father has always been partial to Basset Hounds, but... I always found them depressing to look at. Perhaps a retriever? Oh... nothing more American than a Labrador, right?" he asks. But then he grins and turns to look for an employee. "You there. Sir... perhaps you could tell me if you have any Labradors on hand? Also... perhaps a cat. Persian Marianne?" he says, asking in your direction about the cat breed.

Jessica Drew has posed:
"They shed awfully and need a lot of brushing. Why not one of those giant American cats. You know. Maine cats," she replies, as a neatly dressed older man comes over to them. The man, like the store, looks like he is an upright tax-paying citizen, a pillar of his small town community.

"Hello, how can I help you?" he asks looking between the two. "Would you mean a Maine Coon, ma'am? "We happen to have three nice ones from a litter we've only had in the store for less than a week. Just weaned. I'm not normally in the store on weekdays but have an employee out. Sorry, Victor Petrizinni, I own the store."

Achilles has posed:
    "Yes, Maine Coon." says Angelo as he looks back your way with a lift of his brows. But then he looks back to the staff member and adds, "Those -are- those oversized half-wild looking types, aren't they?" he asks the clerk.
    And he offers a hand to the owner, "Well, how fortuitous. Dimitris Smythe, looking to purchase property in your county and animals such as one of those large felines and a Labrador.. perhaps two, might be good additions to such a property."

Jessica Drew has posed:
"New in the county, are you? Well, welcome to Onandaga. There are a lot of very nice properties in the area." Looking between Angelo and Jessica, "You, ah, don't seem to be from around here."

Achilles has posed:
    At first, Angelo's instinct is to make some sort of sarcastic joke. But he restrains himself. Instead, he smiles and reaches a hand for your shoulder. "Guilty as charged. Recently transplanted from London. We tried Manhattan, but... we found that we have a preference for more open spaces. London was so urban that we came to the States and found ourselves stuck in the same environment. So it's time to make a change."

Jessica Drew has posed:
"Like I said, welcome to the area. Get yourself settled first and come see us for a dog or two. A house cat." The phone rings interrupting his patter. "Excuse me."

After a significant look at Angelo, Jessica wanders over to the other cages, bending over and cooing at the puppies. Behind her the owner of the store, talks angrily to someone in a low voice with his back half-turned to Jessica. "I thought you all were going to deliver that last night. What's with you all? Do you have any idea how much that cargo costs?" He looks behind himself and lowers his voice still more but Jessica's acute hearing picks up each word distinctly, "You're going to have to wait till dark now, you idiots. Alright, call me. I'll be here."

The owner terminates the call and comes back to Jessica and Angelo. "Sorry, for the interruption. So, like I was saying. Get settled and we will take care of you. We have access to all sorts of animals, not just what you see here."

Achilles has posed:
    "You have a business to run. It would be the height of rudeness for me to impose upon -all- of your time. Besides.. the Missus seems to be enjoying herself with your adorable younger animals there." offers Angelo as he smiles to the owner. "Do you have a card that I might hold onto so that I have your contact information?" Angelo asks.
    He takes a card that the guy likely gives him, and approaches you, "Come now Marianne. Don't get attached -today-. We still need to contract the movers. Once we get into the house, we'll return. This man has -exactly- what we need. Or he will have it soon enough."

Jessica Drew has posed:
The barest blink at her name and another coo at the puppies which are settling down into little balls of fluff. "Oh, alright, Dimitris. I want one of these now." She pouts prettily, laying on the spoiled, upper class accent hard and comes back to lay her arm on his.

"Thank you. We'll be back when we are all settled. You got his card? Good."

On their way out of the store, "Now, I heard there was actually a designer in town that we should stop by and see."

Achilles has posed:
    Part of his act is for Angelo to look back as you say that. He looks to the owner and gives just the barest hint of an eye-roll. The look speaks 'women'...
    But then he turns back and gives you a bright smile, "Absolutely. Let us go find this designer." he says as he reaches for the door and opens it for the 'wife'. And even when outside, the role continues as he escorts you to the car and all that jazz.

Achilles has posed:
    Ninety four minutes after leaving the pet store, the SHIELD non-couple find themselves in a local pub. In a booth off in the rear... even in shadows. It's not ... well okay it is a conscious choice. Angelo sought out a place to sit where the two of you might be able to talk without being 'in character'.
    So after a steak sandwich... yeah, he wanted steak for the sakeout. Get it?
    Okay, so it's a bad joke. One he just made aloud, "Yeah. Stake and Steak ... okay, I get how bad that is now that I've said it aloud." he says... obviously semi-killing time and not saying what's on his mind.

Jessica Drew has posed:
He receives the appropriate eye roll from Jessica. "This is my day for puns. To think, after all these years, you haven't grown out of it." She eats a Cobb salad with a healthy appetite and has yet another coffee. It is going to be a long night of puns, she feels. From time to time, she gazes at her partner wondering what is going on for him. He seems to go someplace very far away from time to time. A veteran of stakeouts, she knows how to pace herself, neither talking too personally or all the time. The silences between them generally don't weigh heavily but there is something different and she is unsure of what it is.

"Alright, we go in with ICERs, cameras. We will make our decisions on the next move according to what we see. If the snow leopard is the delivery then we want to find out who is the buyer before moving in on this guy. What am I overlooking here?"

Achilles has posed:
    "Right. Work." says Angelo. He shakes his head as if having just taken a punch between the eyes. "No... wait." he adds. "We are on a break right now. Not working while we have dinner. So..."
    He pauses, hesitating uncharacteristically before he chuckles softly, "All of this time. You said you like older men but... after so many years, you'd think that I would be better at this."
    A snort and he inclines his head, "So, I wish that I could share my thoughts directly. Though that might get me into trouble too, but... I find it amazing that we can flirt so effectively when acting out our roles for a cover ID, but when I start speaking to you privately, I start second guessing myself. So let me just ask this directly..."
    A deep breath, and a sip of his cherry coke... and then he says, "I will not insult you by stating that this is some hypothetical question. But... despite rocky beginnings... whic for the record, I think are necessary for long journeys together... but I find you fascinating on every level, and I have to know... should I abandon pursuit, or turn up the charm?" he asks, trying to sound smooth, but coming out a bit more scared than confident.

Jessica Drew has posed:
His expression brings a protest to her lips that she quashes when he chuckles. Jessica has sense enough not to interrupt him. Putting her fork down, she listens, head tilted to one side, a fond smile growing that falters when he proposes sharing his thoughts directly. She drops her eyes at his last words, nodding to some inner dialogue.

Raising her eyes, she looks him directly in the face, inwardly unsure of where her bravery comes from, as she says, "Charm would be rather nice, I'd say. Oldness and rocks, aside."

Achilles has posed:
    It's funny... seeing the old man look simultaneously relieved and happy, while at the same time suddenly struck dumb like a deer in the headlights. But.... now you can describe exactly what that combination looks like in the eyes of an immortal.
    He takes a steeling breath and slowly nods his head, "Then let me begin by telling you that nothing you ask of me will be answered with anything less than the absolute truth. I have lived long enough to see how many lives are ruined when those close lie to one another. So if you wish to know about any part of my life, it is yours to ask."
    Another sip of his drink is taken before he smiles and then adds, "As for charm, perhaps I might have overstated my ability to charm you. Or perhaps you might be susceptible to amateurish attempts by a bumbling old man?" he asks, before he adds, "Oh but wait. You -do- like older men, right? Should I shake a cane at you? Yell at you to get off of my lawn?"

Jessica Drew has posed:
Jessica is probably as nervous as he is but for once doesn't wear her heart on her sleeve. Slender fingers massage the base of her throat, one of her few tells that she is thinking hard. Perhaps, it is only his long life experience that makes him talk about telling nothing but the absolute truth. It strikes a chord so deeply in her that she swallows, nodding mutely. Catching her breath, she clears her throat, "I will. Expect no less from me, Achilles."

The old saw about making a woman laugh has its roots in truth. Jessica's laugh is deep and lilts up the scale as she shakes her head at him. "No, no canes, no yelling, no irascible fist-shaking till you're four thousand. I will be a thousand then and will know how to be deaf to it all."

Achilles has posed:
    "But I am good at chasing ... what is the term... hippies off of my lawn?" suggests Angelo as he reaches for his sandwich. He takes a bite as his brows lift. The bite is chewed and swallowed before he continues. "So, in all seriousness, -do- you have any questions about the oddity that is a man who will not die? The good news is that -you- will never get a phone call saying that I am never coming home." he adds, somber now.

Jessica Drew has posed:
The conversation cuts close to the bone. They both have seen more death and dealt it than most. Jessica retreats into herself, picking up her fork, toying with the salad. "I've no idea where to begin..."

Glancing away, her face distant as she considers what he's saying to her, "You could have anyone, Achilles. Why me? That's one thing. The other is, not so much a question as an observation. I don't know what the mutation will do to my lifespan."

A sudden smile cuts across the seriousness when she adds, shaking her head, "I'm getting very ahead of myself. I want to get to know you. So why not? Right?"

Achilles has posed:
    Shrugging one shoulder, Angelo says in his resonant yet soft voice, "Why -not- you? You made an impression, and treated me like a human being even after you learned who I was. Trust me, -that- is priceless." and he smiles.
    "Remember, I have spent centuries trying to avoid being put upon a pedestal. Usually only to end up on it anyway." He shakes his head, "I've gone by many names, and in time..." (now making this up entirely, sue me.) "I even had one man begin telling stories of some mythical guy named Arthur after watching me survive a mortal injury. Now sure, the mythical King himself was around at some point but... this storyteller began spreading tales of the King's return because of me, and I fled that town rather than be held up to that ideal."
    He sighs and shrugs, "I just wanted to be a man, nothing more. I wanted to live and love, and just -be-. And you were the first person in a long time to look at me as a normal man after you learned the truth."

Jessica Drew has posed:
Puzzled, an exasperated twist to her lips, "How could I not treat you like a human being? I mean to say, we both were transformed. Weren't we? You still suffer and love life. We're the same in that regard. Why would I treat you differently than anyone of the people that I work with in SHIELD?

With a faint snorted laugh, she continues, "Until you tell me stories like that. Which!" She raises an admonishing finger at him, "You must never stop telling me. I like your stories."

Achilles has posed:
    Shaking his head, Angelo reaches a hand up and grips your finger, and then your hand... gently. "I will tell you stories as long as you desire them." he states. "But... you might be surprised at how many people learn of my history, my past, and think differently of me. You have no idea just how special -you- are. Do you?" he asks with a smirk, "I mean aside from the whole super strong badass, which I find very attractive in its own right I must add."

Jessica Drew has posed:
Letting him take her hand and settling it on the table, she glances at their entwined fingers then up at his face, "Not so special. I didn't ask to be like this. Nor did you, did you? It's how we deal with it that matters, isn't it? HYDRA would have had me be something entirely different than I am."

A thoughtful pause follows. Narrowing her eyes mischievously, she leans forward saying, "Like them strong, do you? You've yet to see what a badass I can be."

Achilles has posed:
    "More like, I find women who are strong within... physical strength is well and good, but strength of will, uncowed, willing to stand up for their beliefs and rights... that is what I am drawn to." offers Angelo. "I have -never- in my long life desired a woman who would simply obey and meekly submit."
    He pauses and snorts darkly, "That is not to say that such women have not been drawn to me, but they never attracted me on anything more than a cursory glance."
    Then he looks up and meets your gaze, "And no, I never asked to be born of a goddess, or dipped into the river Styx as a babe. But one cannot change what has come to pass already, can they?" he asks... his hand still holding hers.

Jessica Drew has posed:
Stroking the back of his hand lightly with her thumb, "So here we are. I don't have to worry about going into a mission with you and losing you." She looks unconvinced though he is living proof of his invulnerability.

"And we both have the strength of our convictions." She contemplates their hands, "At least wear black tonight. We want in and out of there so we can find the buyer."

Achilles has posed:
    Shaking his head, Angelo reaches a hand up and grips your finger, and then your hand... gently. "I will tell you stories as long as you desire them." he states. "But... you might be surprised at how many people learn of my history, my past, and think differently of me. You have no idea just how special -you- are. Do you?" he asks with a smirk, "I mean aside from the whole super strong badass, which I find very attractive in its own right I must add."

Jessica Drew has posed:
Several hours later, 11:00 pm, on a dark, moonless night:

The back of the store has a large loading dock and place for a delivery van to pull up. It has a chain link fence around its perimeter with the wide gate open to the street that runs parallel to the town's main street. A parked semi-trailer blocks the entire back alley; its back doors open. Two men are standing at the back, swearing as they try to get the truck lift to work. A muffled feline chuff can be heard from the interior after one particularly loud attempt at unsticking the mechanism.

On the dark, flat roof of a nearby store, a woman in SHIELD black, her hair pulled back under a cap to keep it out of the way lays belly down watching all these goings on with interest. Subvocalizing, Jessica murmurs to Achilles, "That doesn't sound like a Maine Coon cat to me."

Achilles has posed:
    "I thought rooftop lurking was the purview of Gotham City." offers Angelo softly, before he lifts binoculars and zooms in.The rangefinder in the high tech SHIELD issue binocs show him he's precisely twenty three point four meters from his target. The shotgun mic built in tries to amplify the voices down there.
    "But no. That sounds distinctly larger than even a Main Coon."

Jessica Drew has posed:
The back of the pet store opens. Light picks out an older grey haired man, the owner of the store. He strides angrily down the steps and across the parking lot to the two men.

"That's it. Can you do nothing right? The tranq has worn off since you've taken so long. Do you want to be the one to administer the next one?" Voice rising, "I was not supposed to have it here. Now, I have to keep it for twenty four hours in my back room. The client had to pull his own people back because YOU WERE LATE!"

One of the two, the taller one, starts to argue and is cut off with a movement that is blocked to Jessica's and Achille's view. The shorter one lifts his hands in the air, "Look we are just the carriers, we had nothing to do with it. The first truck broke down. Just put the gun down. We're gonna figure this out. Then, we're going to talk to the boss."

Achilles has posed:
    Narrowing his eyes, Angelo Tampambulos says, "Looks like someone may get shot here." suggests Angelo Tampambulos. "Do we intervene before someone gets hurt?" he asks. After all, it's your case. He's just helping.
    But he lowers the binoculars and is reaching for his ICER to prepare.

Jessica Drew has posed:
"I think he's a little scared, Angelo. Wait."

Down below, the pet shop owner lowers his gun, saying, "Have you any idea what kind of trouble we'll be in if we get caught? You can tell your boss, I'm out of it. This is the last time."

Neither of the trucker grunts replies. The store owner has little idea how much danger he finds himself in. Hammering follows, a metallic grind of gears functioning unwillingly and the loader is functioning. One of the men jumps into the truck and shoves a covered three by three cage to the platform. It lurches and the pronounced chuff of an unhappy leopard inside it startles all three men into stiff stillness.

"Nope, not a Maine Coon, for certain," whispers Jessica.

Achilles has posed:
    "So... we don't rescue the magnificent beast yet. We follow it to the -client-?" Agent Achilles asks over the comm unit. He shakes his head, "I do not like this but... I understand." he mutters, hands gripping the edge of the rooftop tight in frustration.

Jessica Drew has posed:
"Yes. I know." She frowns hard, "I hate it but this may be more than just some rich jerk that wants a special cat in his collection. Though why they needed the whole animal baffles me and others in SHIELD. We're beginning to suspect genetic research. They are particularly invulnerable to the cold, you know, without all the fat that polar bears and seals need."

Achilles has posed:
    Nodding his head, Achilles shrugs, "Then we follow the leads wherever they lead us. But I want to hurt that shop owner... I'm not going to. But I -want- to for sure."

Jessica Drew has posed:
"He's an idiot." Jessica grimaces, keeping the camera trained on the subject, its special infrared filter gives them a good view of what is being unloaded and laboriously wheeled to the pet shops back door. The cover gets caught, ripping which makes the cat inside growl. The men pull the tarp back to finish pushing it through the back door, affording Jessica and Achilles a full view of the leopard inside. The cage is barely large enough for the magnificent male that circles in place, snarling at its captors. The click of the camera shutter documents the theft.

"I know, I want it freed now but this is the only way we can trace it. I think we have enough for tonight."

Achilles has posed:
    "I do not want to leave. To abandon the predator here. If we are to leave it in the custody of that man, then I wish to observe as long as I am able. I hate the idea of withdrawing and resting safe and secure while that magnificent hunter is trapped." says Achilles stubbornly.