927/Missing Spots 1

Missing Spots 1
Date of Scene:	01 April 2020
Location:	Bryant Park
Synopsis:	Where to begin and who will do what to chase the missing Snow Leopard is decided on.
Cast of Characters:	Jessica Drew, Heidi Ingerdottir, Mason Tavner, Daniel Hastings

---

Jessica Drew has posed:
Walking up to the park, this time Bryant Park, Jessica stands outside it, looking across the busy street that separates it from the glass and steel of the high rises that surround it. There are a lot of people in small groups, alone, stretched out on blankets, lining the benches. That many people congregated in one area would have frightened and fascinated her not very many years ago. It is steel and grass, concrete and trees, the quintessence of New York for Spiderwoman now.

Somewhere in that teeming scene an otherworldly woman, she called her friend now, waited for her, wisely not drawing any more attention to her than her six foot plus height and blonde beauty normally provoked. One never knows around an Asgardian.

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
"HAIL!"

It's impossible not to hear Heidi's voice as it's directed towards Jessica. Unafraid of any attention drawn her way, she moves in the direction she saw her friend in. There are certainly more gazes than were there before, but New York is full of resillient people who were very good at going back to what they were doing in spite of weird occurrences. Life goes on, they say.

With a quick pace she bridges the distance between herself and Jessica, and soon Heidi is standing there, all energy and smiles. "It is good to see you, friend Jessica. You are well?" She takes a quick visual peek to make sure that she is, indeed, physically unharmed at least.

Mason Tavner has posed:
    For the operatives on SHIELD all it takes is a phone call and they can have a team of STRIKE members ready and moving in five minutes, no questions asked at first. Though afterwards perhaps there'd be a few. Which might explain one of the possible reasons Jess had called him. At least he thinks as much. Though there are perhaps a few other reasons. But he does not presume these days. For with Jessica Drew, a force of nature, one simply must go with the flow of the moment.
    And so he arrives, emerging from the subway stop in his grey suit. Looking dapper if a little haggard and perhaps needing a shave. Agent Tavner steps out of that stop, checking his watch with a click of fingertips upon its sides, causing the mini screen to change from one display to another, then back.
    But then there's the loud bombastic bellowing of an Asgardian which serves to draw the eye quickly enough. And not just Tavner's gaze but that of many others. He grins a little, then starts to head in that direction, likely seen before he makes it there.

Jessica Drew has posed:
Jessica blinks nonplussed and pleased at Heidi's bigger than life greeting. She is simply that - not of this world but another realm. No flinching around her either, you either owned that big voiced extravagant demeanor as a friend or slunk off to your mediocre existence albeit having spider powers puts the young woman in another class entirely. They have a middle ground of weirdness to meet on and now the mutual experience of seeing very rare wildlife together in Central Park. Jessica suspects that Heidi might not realize how rare it was or the mystery behind it.

"Hail friend and well met, Heidi," comes Jessica's reply in tones that make any New Yorker eager for a spectacle return to their book or chess game without another look. A glance at her watch has her scanning the crowd for Mason. "I have a friend to introduce you to, Heidi. He should be..." A smile tugs a corner of her mouth and she waves at handsome blond man walking to meet them, "There he is now."

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
If anything ever seems strange to Heidi, it's not wildlife. It's soda cans and vending machines and all of the glorious food. Those are strange. As she spots the figure coming towards them, her attention goes to Jessica. "That one?" She points in Mason's direction. As soon as she's certain that he's the friend referred to, she takes a few steps forward.

"Hail and well met, friend of Jessica! I trust you've brought the customary welcoming gift." Here, she turns towards Jessica and gives a wink.

Mason Tavner has posed:
    Crossing the street with a token jog, Mason gives a wave to one of the vehicles that has to slow to let him on by, but once he's clear he hops up the curb and finishes closing the distance.
    Heidi is a tall drink of water that's for sure, but when Tavner makes his appearance his eyes are first for the Spider-Gal, with his head lifting for a small upnod of greeting as a smile passes over his features. When he's near enough he lifts his voice, "Drew." There's a quick look then at Heidi then as he nods his head, "Ma'am."
    It's a reserved greeting, but a polite one given as he takes up a place a little closer to Jessica's side than Heidi's as he murmurs to them. "There was a violin guy down in the subway. Pretty good too." As if that might explain his small smidge of a delay at his arrival.
    But when so accosted by the statuesque Asgardian, she'll see her question greeted with fluttering eyed surprise, "I bring unto thee..." He pats his pockets, pat, pat, pat. Then success. "These. Mentos. Gained at great effort and hazard to my person." He offers her one with the press of his thumb onto the packaging.

Jessica Drew has posed:
"Ahem." Jessica bites back a grin at Heidi, eyes sparkling with amusement. She narrows her eyes briefly at the tall woman before plunging on into the niceties.

"Mason Tavner let me introduce you to my friend, Heidi Ingerdotter. We met recently here in New York." Taking a step closer to Mason, "He is a work colleague, Heidi." After a glance at him, "And, also a friend."

Daniel Hastings has posed:
The New York public library. Sure, a fellow can google but that doesn't give you nuance. It doesn't give you a human perspective. It.. damnit a fellow just wants to read a real book once in a while is that so wrong? That would be Daniel. Coming down the steps of the main entrance, the overloud greetings of an Amazonian looking woman easily draw attention. Heidi's features immediately have him changing his presumption from Amazon to Asgard and he lets out a little sigh. With a shrug to adjust the satchel over his shoulder, he starts walking in the general direction of the small crowd that's gathering. I mean.. where there's one onlooker why not another?

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
"Men..tos?" Heidi looks skeptical at first. Mostly because this is something she hasn't yet come across. "What... do I do with it? Is it currency?" She takes the offered mentos and turns it over in her hand. The skeptical look turns into one of delight. "Or perhaps it is for throwing at one's friends." She makes a motion like she's going to toss it at Jessica, then just grins.

"Ah, I jest. It is a pleasure to meet you, Mason Tavner. Any friend of Jessica's can consider themselves a friend of mine."

Mason Tavner has posed:
    Showing the possible uses of Mentos, Mason pops one into his mouth and chews, nodding sagely. "It is a candy of our realm." Agent Tavner looks over at Jessica and gives a single nod though his smile is a touch wry before he looks back Heidi. "But yeah, we're work friends." He offers as if that designation fits properly. Though he does extend his free hand for a shake, now that he has so granted her proper gift rite in the form of mentos breath mint.
    "Good to meet you, Ingersdottir." That said should she accept his hand he'll give a firm shake, business-like as needed, not too aggressive but firm. For a mortal. That done he returns his hands to his pockets and looks between the two of them. "So, I'm here. What's the occasion?"

Daniel Hastings has posed:
    Friends. With an Asgardian. Well that's handy. Daniel finds a nearby bench and seats himself. A book is taken out. Opened. At which point, he pretends to read. Nothing to see here folks. Just a perfectly normal guy reading a book occasionally looking up to check on the trio. Nobody ever accused him of being a spy.

Jessica Drew has posed:
"Fast thinker, aren't you?" Jessica murmurs from the side of her mouth and holds out her hand to Heidi to take part in the mentos ritual.

"Let's see if we can find someplace to talk if can..." To stop abruptly, "Did you invite him, Mason or is this one of those Shield coincidences?" Putting on an agreeable expression, not insincere because she likes the man, "Hastings! What brings you here?"

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
"Please, call me Heidi. We are friends now, and I have heard that Midgardians prefer to call their friends by their given name," Heidi insists. She reaches out to take Mason's hand, but instead goes for the arm-clasp instead. He is, after all, a work colleague of Jessica's, which would mean he's some kind of warrior.

She then pops the mentos into her mouth. He did say it was candy. The minty-freshness seems to surprise her, but it also delights. "This is an amazing confection..." That part is mostly to herself. She does, however, turn to look at whomever was addressed. "Another friend, Jessica?"

Mason Tavner has posed:
    "The fastest," Tavner responds, making sure that Jessica is duly given sufficient mentos before he replaces the depleted wrapper back into his pocket. A tilt of his head is given to the side when she draws his attention from the pair toward Hastings. He quirks an eyebrow then looks back at the Spider-Gal and shakes his head, "Dunno him."
    But then his attention turns back to Heidi and nods, "Alright, Heidi. Mason." He touches a hand to his chest to indicate himself and accepts that handclasp properly.

Daniel Hastings has posed:
    Spotted. So much for being incognito. Daniel tries to play it cool though. Maybe too cool. He gives a big wave. "Hey there, Drew!" The book gets stowed back in his courier bag and he stands up. "Oh you know. Book worm's gotta..book." That sounded better in his head. "Picked up some light reading on the rise and fall of communist Russia and Foster's latest treatise on formations of the Einstein-Rosen Bridge. I really ought to corner her for a tete-a-tete sometime." He's walking over to the group with a smile for Tavner and Heidi. The tall woman gets the address first and an offered hand/arm. "Daniel Hastings.. and.. well.. coworker at least. Flattered that she would call me a friend. But yes." There's a smile and nod given to Jessica.

Jessica Drew has posed:
After a deep breathe and a glance at three of them, Jessica smiles faintly having come to a decision. "Let's go find a table on the terrace." She raises a hand to point in the direction of the large terrace that surveys the park below it, spotted with small round tables and folding chairs put out by the park service.

"I want to tell them what we saw in the park, Heidi. Did you see in the newspaper how they don't have any leads on what happened?" *****Once assembled around a table that they cobbled together from scattered chairs, Jessica sitting flanked by Heidi on her right side and Mason on her left looks at Daniel sitting across from them. "Did any of you hear about the animals that were let out of Central Park Zoo?"

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
Heidi seems appeased by Mason's acceptance, and she turns instead to where Jessica's attention has been drawn to. She pauses, her brow furrowing as she takes a moment to try and understand all the words coming out of Daniel's mouth. It's not another language--the All-Speak would have allowed her to understand that. She just plain doesn't get it. But, he's been introduced as another coworker. "Daniel Hastings... well met!" She, of course, goes for the warrior's arm-clasp instead of a handshake. They're all warriors after all.

Once they're all settled at the table and chairs, Heidi seems a little curious about the discussion. "They were not able to find anything?" She questions, though she leaves the dialogue up to the others. She was there, after all, she knows plenty.

Mason Tavner has posed:
    In transition, Mason's flicking through the notes on his cellphone, catching a few of the messages and gauging some of the updates sent or his team and their recent efforts. It holds his attention for a time as he frowns and ponders what he's reading, then looks up as his gaze flits between the others. "Animals, what?"

Jessica Drew has posed:
    Cell phones ring almost simultaneously. Jessica glares at hers, texting to someone furiously. The group scatters to the wind to reassemble the following day. Two days of sunshine in New York, a springtime rarity that brings out blankets, towels and parents with their children to enjoy the new warmth.
    At a table, on the terrace three of the group reassemble. "No phones." She pointedly turns hers off. "I've got a lot of questions I'd like to go over with you both. One is, do I need to go through SHIELD channels for this investigation? Two, Heidi can I ask you to help us?"

Mason Tavner has posed:
    Settling into his seat, Mason pointedly takes the time to kill his cellphone, then tucks it away inside the pocket of his jacket. He folds his arms over his chest and shifts his weight a little to the side, chair creaking with a faint sound.
    Dark blue eyes flit between the two women as he asks, "This is about the animals, and the zoo incident?" He clarifies as he shifts a foot to cross his legs, shoe resting on his knee and his hands settled on the arms of the chair.
    "What, in your opinion, puts this in our laps as SHIELD and less so local law enforcement?" No judgment there, just information gathering.

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
Heidi does have a phone, but there are few people who bother messaging or even calling her. So the call for no phones means little to her. She leans forward, looking back over at the other two. "I do not see why I can't help. If there is something I am needed for, I gladly offer assistance."

She glances towards Mason as he speaks. "I do not quite understand what 'SHIELD' means, either. It does not appear you mean an actual shield."

Jessica Drew has posed:
    Tapping the table, a tell that still creeps up on her when she is thinking, Jessica inhales nodding. "Fair question. I think they are investigating it. I just don't think they will do it well. They don't have SHIELD's resources, or rather they don't have ours. I can't say why more than that right now for why I want it to be "in house."
    Heidi's straightforward declaration and question leaves Jessica biting her lip as she gropes for an answer.
    "Well." Drew glances at Tavner, eyes widening in an unvoiced question. The table drumming transfers to her collar bone as she shifts in her seat, considering what to say. "It's a group that's mission is to help those in need, I suppose you could say." She sends a 'help me'to the other agent.
    "Be certain that we can use you and your sword with us, Heidi."

Mason Tavner has posed:
    The other agent tilts his head towards Heidi and murmurs, "SHIELD's an organization we work for, when we're not on our own little side trips into self-discovery." Mason's lip twists a little upwards, "It's a group of people who try to protect the world from crazy stuff. Like Asgardians a few years back."
    That said he settles back and nods towards Jessica and gives a nod, "Well. Far be it from me to deny someone followin' up a hunch of their's." Mason nods, "We'll get it under way. You know me, usually most of my time is spent waitin' around for stuff ta happen. Nice to take a hand in the happening beforehand for once."

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
"So 'SHIELD' helps people?" Heidi looks between them, though it doesn't seem to phase her much. She'll accept it on face value. "Then I shall be more than glad to help in this endevour." She does pause after a moment. "Though I will say I'm even better with a bow. I will not brag in this case: I am certainly very skilled. If you have need of me, I'm better at a distance." Another pause. "Though I could certainly be in the front if needed."

She looks between the two. "But what are we fighting?"

Jessica Drew has posed:
    "Good. Very good." Jessica says, with a hint of relief to Mason.
    Sitting up straighter, she brings them up to date. "So this is what we know so far. Nothing."
    She nods incredulously, watching the Asgardian and the other SHIELD agent's reaction, "There were according to the Zoo no signs of breaking and entering. According to what I could glean from the police, no signs of unusual activity except the security cameras weren't working or not correctly. They seem to have been on a loop, which is why the officials didn't even know the animals were missing until feeding time rolled around, and they discovered that there were no animals. Not a feather out of place. A few unhappy frogs in the Central Park pond where they recovered the cranes. I have my ideas of where to go from here, but I'd like to hear yours."
    Eyebrows hiked in admiration, Jessica adds, "Oh, we will most likely need your bow, Heidi."

Mason Tavner has posed:
    "That..." Mason says as he rubs a fingertip along the bridge of his nose, "Sounds like a tech thing. Might need to bring on one of the brain kids if only to rule a few things out. Get them to sweep the security systems, see if it was hardware failure or software, then get them to finagle a recreation of the time line."
    Mason straightens up a little in his chair, eyes drifting to the side before he looks back and hrms to himself. "My answer is pretty much the usual answer you'll hear from people like me. Throw smarter people at it until we get results." His lip twists a little bit as he looks over at Heidi, "I know my limitations."
    That said he looks back, "But if you don't wanna draw too many folks into this I have some contacts that might be willing to help."

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
"So then I imagine your keepers perhaps were involved?" Heidi seems thoughftul. "I do not know why they would do that, but if no one seems to have broken in... perhaps no one broke in? If one of them opened a gate, or perhaps one of them was the one that did it? People lie."

She looks back towards Mason. "Why would you assume you aren't smart enough to help?"

Jessica Drew has posed:
    "I knew there was a reason I liked you, Tavner. I just wonder if you're right about your limitations." Jessica lifts her chin with a humorous raise of an eyebrow. "Get in touch with your contacts, please."
    With an approving nod of her head at Heidi, "You're so right, Heidi. Someone helped, and the simple answer is for money, I guess, but it might be more. Pressure of some sort was placed on them because most people who work at the zoo love their job because they love the animals."
"I also thought that we should look at exotic animal suppliers or vets that specialize in them. Won't an animal like the one that was taken have special needs, like food or medicine? That's one avenue for us to go down, too."
    She undoes the clasp on her Hermes bag and pulls out a folder. "I have a list of them if you don't mind doing a little footwork with me. I called several already but have narrowed them down to a few one in upper state, two in the city. I want to start with the closest."

Mason Tavner has posed:
    "A man recognizes his boundaries," Mason says lightly enough, answer easily given to Heidi though his smile might offer the insight that there's more to the story. In any case he leans back in his chair a little, brow furrowing as he nods, "Could be an inside job, yer both prolly right about that."
    He turns to look more directly at Jessica and quirks an eyebrow, "Everything that sorta needs manpower. Though I suppose I can focus and pound the pavement some to find out what I can. Just that sorta thing... I usually only do that for a bit of fondue." He holds up a hand, palm flat and waggling, "So it's a rarity."
    That said he'll lean over and take the list, checking the other papers to make sure there're not pieces he's missing then he nods and folds it up and slips it into the pocket of his jacket. "I'll get on this, though if I get a buzz from STRIKE I may have to deal with that beforehand."
    "Split up the pet stores fifty fifty?"

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
"I cannot say I even knew there was such a thing. You just... buy pets?" Heidi seems a little surprised. "I mean, usually we simply visit someone who breeds an animal, such as a warhound. How exactly do you just have a store for them?" She eyes Mason suspiciously, though she doesn't call him on the 'boundaries'.

"I suppose I'll have to see what it looks like. I did mention it might be nice to get a cat..."

Jessica Drew has posed:
    "Lips pursed in a suppressed grin at Heidi's suspicions, Jessica clears her throat, "All will be revealed when we go to one together. There are all sorts. One of the shops in town is owned by the one in Upper State and that is the one I think will lead us to where we want to go. I'll call you tomorrow Heidi. Right now I have some shopping to do for a dinner I'm making tonight. Are we ready to start then?"