9225/Two Wongs Don't Make a Wight

Two Wongs Don't Make a Wight
Date of Scene:	22 December 2021
Location:	Wong's Corner Store
Synopsis:	Cold weather and an icy trip home result in a stop off for pasta and a movie.
Cast of Characters:	Viola Fiore, Knox Kennedy

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Viola Fiore has posed:
It's evening in New York. A cold front has come down from Canada, with gusty winds that propel the thick falling snowflakes down at a 45 degree angle. Traffic has started to clear out as people have chosen to stay in where possible.

Though one of the pedestrians is hurrying along the snowy and progressively icy sidewalk, perhaps wishing that she too was at home. Viola Fiore looks rather fashionable, wearing a finely cut black coat with a red scarf and gloves. Jeans cling to her legs and disappear into tall black boots.

She moves quickly with the cold, arms swinging freely at her sides. Until she hits an icy patch on the sidewalk. The young woman's arms windmill for a moment and it looks like she might go down before she gives a sudden lurch sideways and her foot finds a bit of solid pavement that steadies her. "Yeah, this isn't going to work," she comments to herself. The Italian-American young woman in her early twenties glances up at the sky, just as a gust of frigid wind bears down on her. Viola ducks into a doorway to get out of it, a door which admits her into Wong's Corner Store.

Knox Kennedy has posed:
Knox is inside the Corner Store wearing a long black coat with matching scarf, a pair of gray blue jeans, and black boots. He's decidedly mono-tone but the variation in black and gray is reasonably stylish. This leaves the only splash of color on his person his purple eyes which would pop exotically if they weren't turned on the sole task of picking between popcorn of potato chips.

He stands in an aisle with a bag of each held in a palm. He weighs them as if he were the scales of justice. Melted snow still dots his shoulders. Eyes closing, he murmurs in irritation at his indecision.

"Maybe both..." As someone else emerges through the cold hell outdoors, he leans forward to peak out of the aisle. His head tilts as he recognizes the person. Amused, his head disappears slowly back into the aisle. He stalks low and tries to sneak up on the woman. Its a terrible idea, but he can't help feeling the need for mischief. He's been bored out of his mind lately.

Viola Fiore has posed:
Viola stamps her feet on a rubber mat set at the entryway for people to try to dislodge any snow or slush they've brought in. She pulls off her gloves, back to the store as she looks out the window at the weather that she's just fled from. Which also makes it rather easy to sneak up on her.

Over at the elevated to the counter to the store, a door in back opens and an Asian woman walks out, followed by a man about her age. "... well I hope they didn't pick tonight for their carriage ride," she says in slightly accented English. "They are going to freeze if they did."

The older Asian man gives a little wave of his hand. "Gwen is smart girl. She be ok," he says.

The woman nods back to him. "Yes. Though Eddie would probably lick a flagpole on a dare, so hopefully she's doing the thinking between them." That draws a bit of laughter from the man.

Knox Kennedy has posed:
Grin on his features, he stalks low from the potato chip aisle and pauses briefly at the end cap. Placing a hand on the ground, he leans forward to catch a quick glimpse of his victim then waits for her gaze to turn the opposite direction. He carefully creeps to avoid her peripheral vision and then stands behind her, his reflection appearing in the store window.

"Well hello Viola! Haven't seen you in months, since the.. uh.. gala I think it was." He'll be grinning and assuming he gives her a startle, it'll be obvious that was his intent all along.

"I could use your opinion on a very important decision." He raises both bags of snacks.

Viola Fiore has posed:
Viola does gives a slight jump, not having realized anyone was right behind her. The young woman was engrossed in her phone, working an app. She turns and sees who it is, her face lighting up a bit. "Knox, hello," she replies to him warmly. "Fancy meeting you here. Do you live in the area?" she asks him.

She glances out the window and nods her head towards the street outside. "Ducked in out of the wind, think I'm going to call for a ride," she tells him.

Her gaze goes to the two bags he's holding up. "Depends. Is there a special occasion for it? Movie? Something to take with lunch? Just munchies?" she asks as she looks between the two choices.

Knox Kennedy has posed:
He seems pleased with the jump and more pleased with the warm smile he's offered after the minor prank. Nodding sympathetically, he gazes outside. "It's not great out there, and I do. I rent nearby. I duck in here when I have the munchies.. And that's the exact occasion for the snacks. Though I'll likely pair it with a movie, I've got a long list of those to scratch off."

"I'd offer a ride, but I've got a scooter. Probably worse to ride then walk in this weather." He shrugs, "What brought you into the neighborhood?"

He turns and leans his shoulder against the glass.

Viola Fiore has posed:
"Met a friend for a drink after work," Viola replies, "And was planning to take the subway back. But there is some kind of work happening on the line tonight and it's shut down," she tells Knox.

The young woman's eyes go back to the bags. "Well, of the two I'd go with the potato chips. Though if you were talking caramel corn instead of popcorn?" Viola says, turning the latter into a hypothetical questions. She lives up to the Italian stereotype, waving as she talks with her hands. "That would be a whole other story," she tells him.

Viola glances up and over to the Wongs, who are watching from the counter. She gives them a friendly smile and a wave. Vera Wong calls back to her, "We have sale on pasta. You should buy. Need to put on weight for cold weather. You are all thin."

The Italian-American woman's face lights up as if she was given a compliment. "Thank you!" she calls back.

Knox Kennedy has posed:
Knox strikes a pose and places his hands on his hip as they receive the indirect compliment, and then hums pensively as he gazes in the direction of the pasta. "Italian food does sound good, but I'm a terrible cook. It'd shame the pasta."

Shaking his head and wanders around the aisle end-cap and replaces the popcorn with kettle corn. "I haven't tried kettle corn before. I'll have to give it a shot with that endorsement."

"You ready to be home, or did they have to run? If you don't mind being out a little longer, I could offer... Kettle corn? A bottle of wine? If you are a decent cook, I could also offer ingredients and a quick retreat to my place."

He gazes over the aisle, "Short notice, I recognize, but hey... Might as well make the most of serendipity. The threads of Fate bind in strange and novel ways."

Viola Fiore has posed:
The young woman gives a shake of her head at the question, though it is meant as an affirmative. "Don't have to be anywhere. Was just going to head home to... ah, fireplace, movie, glass of wine. Better with someone else to talk to though," she tells him, giving Knox a smile for the offer.

She steps into the aisle with him, stopping to look at what's for sale. A lot of it are Asian brands and foods, though Viola eyes it all and picks out some pasta and then moves down the aisle to the sauces. "Don't tell my mother it's one from a bottle," she says with a chuckle, and then continues on to add a few spices, and then a stop at a refrigerated display to get some fresh seafood that would go nicely with the sauce. "I can whip something up if you're supplying the wine. And kettle corn," she offers.

Knox Kennedy has posed:
"Deal. I've got some very nice bottles in my makeshift wine closet at home." Knox promises, and it's the truth. One of the benefits of being a professional thief who preys on the ridiculously rich is raiding their wine cellars on a regular basis. He's not short on good vintages.

"And I agree. Conversation makes the wine better." He grabs a small shopping basket and puts in two bags of kettle corn along with a few other everyday items: butter, coffee creamer, and a bag of rice.

Heading over to check out, he murmurs something quietly to the Wongs. "Put this toward her total."

He slides over a couple of twenties in additional to his total then takes his bagged groceries and waits by the door, humming to himself.

Viola Fiore has posed:
Viola Fiore brings the groceries over, which don't amount to too much more than Knox gave them. Mrs. Wong rings it up, and rather than have it be so obvious, she pulls something off the shelf behind here. "You will enjoy this. Have as your dessert," she says with a smile as she puts everything in bags.

The younger woman takes the plastic bags and smiles at Mrs. Wong, saying, "Thank you so much. Such a lovely little shop you have here." She pockets her credit card after making the payment and then follows over to where Knox waits, getting her gloves back on and resting a hand on his arm. "Ready," she tells him once she's prepared to brave the cold again.

Knox Kennedy has posed:
Knox wraps his scarf around the lower half of his face and nods to her before venturing out into the bluster. His place is thankfully only a few city blocks away. With the reduced traffic, he takes a few risks on the streets, showing a lack of patience for street lights. This only causes one trope'ish, 'I'm walking here, moment.'

At the end of the journey, Knox waves a key fob to a gate and holds it open for Viola. Within the apartment complex, its another few flight of damp stairs before they arrive at his apartment.

Knox's place is a modest one-bedroom because rent in Greenwich is obnoxious compared to the rest of the country.

Fine art and photography line available wall real-estate within the apartment, the educated eye might notice them as originals. There is a living area with stylish modern furniture, a glass coffee table, and a large wall mounted television. A kitchenette that is small but furnished on the extreme side in regards to quality tools. A pair of stacking washer and dryer fit inside a small nook.

The door to the master bedroom is open revealing a queen. The bedroom set is painted black and more art continues to paper the walls. A slight available glimpse of the master bath reveals an abnormally large shower.

Its obvious from the few touches, Knox isn't bashful about spoiling himself.

"Welcome welcome." He'll help her with her coat. "The kitchen is at your beck and call, I'll go ahead and pour us some wine to get started."

Viola Fiore has posed:
Viola manages the trip to the apartment better than her encounter with the icy patch, and soon is stepping into Knox's place. She removes her boots once inside, and then her jacket, stuffing her gloves into the pockets.

She gives her coat to the handsome man and then looks about the apartment. Not just a brief perusal. She pauses to look at various pieces, and the better or more intriguing ones in particular, showing she has at least somewhat of an eye for such things.

"Very nice. Did you do this yourself, or have someone in to decorate it?" she inquires as she follows him along then towards the kitchen.

Once there, she locates a few pots and pants and utensils, getting the water boiling for the pasta and starting on the scallops and shrimp in a pan. "What is it you do for a living?" she inquires.

Knox Kennedy has posed:
Knox puts away Viola's accessories in the coat closet and then opens a cabinet in the kitchen which has been outfitted with a small wine rack and some minor climate controls. He retrieves a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon then opens a drawer to fetch an aerator pourer. Cork removed, aerator inserted, he pours a couple of wine glasses of a vintage that's likely a couple of hundred dollars per bottle. In truth, that was Knox's starting point with wine, he had a few other bottles that were almost 'rainy day' investments more then for purposes of drinking.

"Ah.. Let me be awkward and say that's a... private affair? Its complicated, and I'd rather not spin a bad lie. From the way you organized that gala, you've got a sharp eye. I think I'd get caught pretty fast if I tried to deceive you." He brings a wine glass to his nose.

Viola Fiore has posed:
That wasn't quite the answer that Viola was expecting. Though, she seems to accept it without giving him a stink eye like perhaps sometimes happens. "Well, thank you for that," she says, whether taking his comment about her eye as a compliment, or that he didn't try to lie to her.

The sauce is heating and the seafood is prepared. The pasta boils for a dozen minutes or so and then Viola removes it, straining it and adding it to two plates. Her eyes go about the finely decorated apartment again, and then over to the man. "A nicer evening than walking home in, well, that," she says, looking out the window at the gusts of wind causing the snow to swirl. "Or listening to the music choices of the Uber driver of the moment. Thank you," she tells him. She takes the glass of wine and takes a sip of it. "I'm not sure what it is," she says, not trying to guess, "But it's delicious."

Knox Kennedy has posed:
Knox offers a sheepish smile and watches her cook. When she finishes, he guides her out to the living room and sets the plates out on the glass coffee table with some silverware. "Uber drivers always want to listen to music at the wrong moment for me. I got a scooter, because I was tired of getting the side-eye every time I complained."

He frowns, "I get it. Its not a fun job, but really... I rarely want to be in an Uber either."

"Wine is from a Napa vineyard. Upscale but pretty common label. I like it for the nuance of plum and the spice notes. Always happy when I happen upon a bottle." Knox explains and takes a sip.

"You still coordinating special events for a living, or have you moved over to a new gig?" He reaches for a remote and turns on a gas fireplace positioned below the mounted television.

Viola Fiore has posed:
"I am," Viola replies as the Italian-American young woman joins Knox. She takes a seat at the couch, wearing jeans and a cardigan that knows just the right amount and places to cling and where to be comfortable. The young woman has a bit of a gift with fashion, her own personal style that extends itself to her work as a party planner.

"The Hellfire Club brought me on, on a recurring basis," she tells him. "I still work with my partner, but that's about half-time, and I'm there for the Club the rest," she explains to him.

Viola tries the pasta and smiles. "It goes nicely with the wine, I think," she comments, offering her glass to touch to his before taking another sip of it.

The wind howls outside, lashing against the window, but unable to come in. The fire is still welcome on the cold New York night. The city lights are out, but obscured by the haze of the falling snow. "So what movie did you have in mind?" she asks.

Knox Kennedy has posed:
Knox gives Viola a once over with his purple gaze, head tilting as the quality of her fashion doesn't seem lost on him. He might not understand 'why' its striking, but the intended effect didn't go unnoticed.

"Belated congratulations then. I'm sure you are doing well for them." He gladly clinks glasses and then takes in his own mouthful of pasta. He hums in delight, "Alright, that's significantly better then my last attempt. I hope I paid enough attention when you were cooking to reproduce it."

"Well, I've got a list. I had a very... restricted upbringing, so all the classics are new to me. Someone suggested Home Alone as part of the top five for holiday movies. Does that sound good, or do you have a better recommendation? I'm pretty sure I'm subscribed to every streaming surface known to humankind at this point." He chuckles and then resumes eating his dinner.

A few moments, he pauses, "Oh, and thank you for cooking." Something about the thanks didn't come naturally, as if he expected to be waited upon.

Viola Fiore has posed:
The young woman eats slowly, savoring the food, and with enough sips of the wine to accompany it that she'll be ready to have her glass topped off once during the meal, and again by the end of it. "You are welcome, the least I could do," she tells him.

When they are both finished, the young woman picks up the plates and takes them to the kitchen, washing them in the sink. "Home Alone, I haven't seen it in forever. That would be an excellent choice," she tells him while she's taking care of the dishes. "Strict parents?" she asks, seeming to refer to the restricted upbringing. "I was sort of the opposite. Had a bit of a silver spoon. I should have ended up more spoiled than I am, but somehow I think I turned out alright," she says with a soft chuckle.

She dries the dishes and puts them away, then moves to rejoin Knox. Settling into the couch, beside him. "Ready," she tells him.