12245/Searching for a copycat

Searching for a copycat
Date of Scene:	27 September 2020
Location:	Discovery - Times Square
Synopsis:	Catwoman and Spike track down an imposter. Things don't go as planned.
Cast of Characters:	Catwoman, Spike

---

Catwoman has posed:
Early evening has fallen over the city, and they have been travelling all over in search of the mysterious panther demon that had attacked Selina a few weeks ago. Thankfully they had narrowed it to potential places of interest, particularly, places that the alleged thief might hit next..

Like the new Cat goddesses display now on at this particular museum. They arrive in the back alley, peering up at the three story building just as it has closed its doors to the public.

"So..Our little..Cat burglar is in here, huh? I guess it would make sense..."

Spike has posed:
     He tracks the demon the way a hound does. Not really that on the ground sniffing by any means, but you know it his nose leading the way,"This thing gets around." he mutters as the two of you arrive at the museum.

     Since they have it narrowed down for the time being he takes out a cigarette and lights it, watching the place. A long drag and then the exhale,"So it is here for the exhibit is it? Should be a good show. Well, fun for us anyway."

Catwoman has posed:
Catwoman smirks, glancing alongside her companion. "Makes sense, and if this...Panther creature has a taste for precious cat themed treasure, what better place to rob than here, with their latest cat-themed display?" she is quite impressed with his stellar tracking performance and will definitely have to keep this one for future ventures.

"Alright..Best way in is through the back door, although I see a camera up there..Gimme a second. You good with picking locks?" she pulls out her mini computer from her backpack. Catwoman isn't a master hacker but she knows enough tricks to scramble a simple security camera. "Himme a minute or two and we're clear.."

Spike has posed:
     "Makes sense might be a stretch love. It's a demon. You made sense of me yet?" he replies and studies the museum for a moment over another drag,"I am pretty good with a boot to the door, but my lock picking is a little rusty. You might have to watch closely while I do the refresher."

     He looks at the camera and waits for you to do your thing,"I'll be here, just admiring the view." he smirks. Since you are working for the moment, he looks around to keep an eye out for you for now.

Catwoman has posed:
Catwoman chuckles as she types away on her computer, focusing her camera in her visor on the phone, "I'm still trying to figure you out, my handsome little enigma.." she arches a brow, "Well I do prefer a more subtle approach, but let's see what your made of." she nods, shutting her computer and slipping it back in her bag. "I suspect the door is made of reinforced steel..Give it a try?"

Spike has posed:
     The idea of the door reinforced gets a soft bark of a laugh. He takes a drag and walks towards the door once she mentions things are good,"I'm strong, but I don't think I'm kicking in steel without making a lot of noise and taking a long time." Walking over to the door he takes out a knife and a few pins, maybe he is just being modest.

     It takes a while, but after a few minutes there is the tell tale click of success. He looks around the door for wire or any indication of alarm system,"One quiet entrance, if not a quick one." he muses thoughtfully.

Catwoman has posed:
Catwoman nods, stepping towards him and watching thoughtfully, "Yes..Subtle is always best." she arches a curious brow as he pulls out his tools, a bit impressed. He's got skill, though his methods are a bit cruder than Her own..There are no wires hidden in the actual door, but there is an alarm that is triggered by movement of the door opening.

"Allow me.." she steps forward towards the security panel, pulling out a little device which she sets over it and quickly breaks the code, typing in a series of numbers..And holds her breath.

The beeping stops. Looks like they're in. Now to find the cat exhibit. There are bound to be signs around here somewhere, right?

Spike has posed:
     "It's been a while since I was subtle." he admits with a snort. Watching her get the alarm shut down he smirks,"I think maybe you need to teach me a few new tricks love." he admits. Once they are in he tests the air again and points towards the hallway,"That way." He doesn't have a scent on the display so that must mean...

Catwoman has posed:
Catwoman smiles, brushing his cheek rather fondly, gently with a gloved hand, "Mmm, Ill teach you anything you want to know, 'love', and I hope you'll teach me some of your tricks in return.." she practocally purrs as she follows him down the hallway.

It'll be no surprise that this hallway leads them directly to the cat exhibit..Unfortunately a security guard is about to make his round down this hallway, and while the lights are mostly off, he has a flashlight which he swings this way and that, peering into nooks and crannies..

Spike has posed:
     "I'll teach you all my tricks." he replies quietly going down the hall,"Had a few I though about teaching you last night, but I wanted to keep you in suspense and make sure you kept me around for a while." Even in a potential heist or fight...the king of smart ass can rise to the occasion.

     He pauses and looks towards the guard on the move,"I can't hit him." he tells you softly,"I mean I can, but you'll have to clean me off the floor after a few minutes." Forthright if nothing else. Still, the guard is on the way.

Catwoman has posed:
Catwoman smiles and winks, "Looking forward to it.." she shivers, "Ooh, I do like a suspenseful game, maybe later tonight we'll 'celebrate' hmm?" she practically purrs, though keeps her voice to a hushed whisper, pressing against a nearby wall for cover. "Let's seee...I have one in here somewhere.."

She murmurs aloud, searching through her array of burglary gadgets and eventually pulls out a small white pellet, handing it to him. "Here, sleeping gas..He's still a ways away. Dint want us to inhale the gas too, but you're likely more capable of hurling this farther than me..Think you can hit him with it? Should knock him out at least ten, fifteen minutes."

Spike has posed:
     There is nothing better than a chase and the quarry in question is beyond worthy. The smirk on his face makes that clear. Curious he watches her dig around until she comes up with the pellet. Once he has it in his hand he nods and settles into a more stalking mode.

     "When he gets closer. I probably could throw it from here, but I'd rather make sure e gets a full dose." Another drag and he adds,"I don't really breathe, but I get the idea."

Catwoman has posed:
Catwoman nods, eyes focused on the security guard. The display can wait...For now. "Right. Do your worst. Just make sure I'm not caught in the crossfire. I still breathe." smirks but holds her position, keeping stark still as she awaits the guard's arrival, trusting her partner to time this just right.

The guard seems oblivious to the intruders and he seems pretty bored and tired. He yawns and stretches, peering this way and that, taking a sip of his extra dark coffees to keep him awake and continues down the hall towards them..

Spike has posed:
     Wait for it.... He throws tosses the pill and it bursts right next to the poor guards head, giving him a heavy dose of the sleep agent. He winks at you as he starts towards the display again,"That whole breathing thing is such a burden." he manages with a smirk.

     The last drag on the cigarette and he puts it out on the guard's pants. Not leaving the evidence, he tucks it into his coat pocket and walks into the room with the display. Testing the air he frowns a little. A nod her way lets her know something is close. Back over the room he muses,"Here we are now...entertain us."

Catwoman has posed:
Shoooom! The guard falls down..Completely zonked out. Hopefully he'll be out for a bit.."Nice job.." she grins and once she's sure he won't wake up for a while, Cat woman strides confidently towards the nearby cat exhibit, which is where she is sure this..Panther demon or whatever it is, is gonna strike next.

Still, she can't help but greedily eye all those sparkling, glittery gemstones on display. "Mmmm..." she licks her lips, "May as well indulge ourselves while we wait.." but of course she is cautious too, carefully scanning the area with her goggles for traps or security devices. Ahh, there it is, a set of laser devices. "Hold it.."

She scans the area further then locates the next security label and gets to work on disabling it. "This may take a minute or two..Enjoy the scenery in the meantime and keep on the alert.." he may just sense the panther scent getting stronger by the minute...

Spike has posed:
     Looking at the shiny things and then at the slumped guard. A quick wink,"I do what I can." Looking back at her, enjoying the departing view as she walks over to do the laser traps. No sense being shy about it. There may not be people in the building except the three of you, but that can change.

     Still, shiny things, jewel things. Making sure there are no wire things connectd to the shiny things, he lifts a few things for a rainy day. Indulging himself like she said,"The lasers...that's the other smell. I could smell the Panther, but I couldn't place the other smell to just now. Ozone."

Catwoman has posed:
Catwoman smiles as she grabs a beautuful ruby pendant, holding it up to her chest. "So? Does this suit me, or what...?" the words are barely out of her mouth when a green crackling glowing thing lances across the ground, snagging at her feet and whipping her to the ground. Eyes widen in surprise as she loses her balance, body jerking and spasming in reaction to a painful electric current coursing through her body.

At the same time, a sleek black figure leaps from the shadows, red eyes gleaming in the darkness as it attempts to tackle Spike to the ground, deadly fangs and razor sharp claws slashing at his face and throat.

Well, so much for indulging..

Spike has posed:
     "I'd like to see you in it...just it." he replies. Getting one up on him will always be tricky. Still, the sudden change in the room almost catches him completely off guard. He knows the thing is here from the smell, but there is still the fact it appears from nowhere. When you get electrocuted he starts towards you, but hey not much he can do there.

     A fight on the other hand. A fight he can deal with. Even with a great spirit cat. Down on the ground they go, but he sticks his foot in its stomach and using an old school technique, the monkey flip. The cat goes sailing and he comes up with a few scratches and damage to his shirt. Oh look, Spike blood too.

Catwoman has posed:
Catwoman is momentarily stunned but definitely not down for the count. She snarls, twisting her body up and back, displaying some amazing flexibility as she grabs the Cat Lady by the neck and uses her own weapon against her, entangling her and sending her flying into a nearby wall.

"First blood to you, you cheap copycat! But the fight is far from over!" Cat lady yowls as she's sent flying into the nearby wall, even as Catwoman gracefully airings to her feet and finds herself locked in combat with her body double, exchanging blows and strikes, flipping and cartwheeling out of the way of each other, both proving to be quite well matched.

Meanwhile, Spikes manages to send the Panther demon sailing into the same wall which crumbles and caves I. around its huge form. But the lithe feline effortlessly picks itself up and leaps again at Spike, proving to be quite tough. It lunges at him again and again, aiming to slash and slice and wear him down rather than deliver a single, final blow.

Almost as if they were playing with their food..

Spike has posed:
     "Bloody hell." he grumbles as he kicks himself back onto his feet from the floor. The creature comes back at him again and he smirks,"Bad kitty." he growls, but clearly amused despite the fact this thing could do him ugly. Slashes are slipped her and there, but there are a few that land on him.

     "New plan." he mutters and slips out of his coat and once the cat is close again he drops it over its head. It's not a permanent fix, but it buys him enough time to land a kick akin to a field goal kick into its ribs and then drops onto the creature, arms snaking around its neck and legs wrapping around its body ahead of its back hips. There's something to try at least. As long as it has tangilbe form he can wrap it up and do bad things after.

Catwoman has posed:
It's a clever decoy, enough that the panther demon actually falls for it..And distracts it long enough for Spike to catch it in a spider grasp..Unfortunately the panther is at least twice his strength, and while he holds it for a little time, it eventually uses its superior strength and mass to back up try and ram Spike into a nearby wall.

Catwoman meanwhile, finds herself quite evenly matched against her near double, exchanging blows but not having much advantage. Quite the contrary, as the Cat Lady has an electric whip and snakes Catwoman around the neck this time, sending an even stronger jolt of electricity through her body.

Eyes widen as she reaches up to grasp the choking electric whip, only to get zapped a second time and she screeches in pain.

Spike has posed:
     New idea. Strangling it isn't going to work, even if he keeps the leverage because it is starting to escape. Up and moving towards the wall, Spike plants a foot and turns the Panther towards it. They both manage to crash into the wall and pause there a second.

     Well, fighting fair isn't a thing and so before they fully separate he jams his thumbs through the Panther's eyes sockets making the nasty squishing noises such a thing would cause. Of course, it lashes out and he gets some sexy claw marks on his cheek and neck. A swift kick to the gut and the two combatants separate bleeding nastily.

Catwoman has posed:
"Rrrrrwwwwr!" The panther snarls and sways at him with massive clawed paws as he attempts to squish its eyes. Unfortunately it's the quicker of the two, darting back with incredible speed and agility, leaping instead into the wall behind him, lashing out with those deadly claws again.

Meanwhile, Catwoman continues to struggle with the electrifying whip around her neck, but she is a master is escapism among other things, managing to trust and turn until she wriggles her way out of it, handspringing back and preparing for round two.

The Cat Lady clicks her tongue in disapproval. "Cute, the both of you. But I don't have time for games. Shadow, deal with the girl.." At her word, Shadow leaps and sails right over Spike to join his mistress, eyes glowing intensely red, and in response Catwoman's claw mark starts to glow. She shrieks in unbridled pain, so bad that it forces her to her knees, clutching at her burning arm. "Dammit!" she cries out, tears welling in her eyes.

Spike has posed:
     This little party is starting to wear thin. The Panther claws him again and he growls, the lack of coat exposing him to the claws more than otherwise possible. At least he kept it occupied for a time, but now it has lost interest in him and is going after Selina. A deep scowl and he pauses to look around the room.

     There is bound to be something in a display that he can use for a weapon. Maybe something in the next room that is legitimately a weapon. Sword. Axe. Mace. Anything. The Cat Lady is a problem since he can't really start throwing fists at her either.

Catwoman has posed:
"I'm warning you, pretty boy!" snarls the Cat Lady and a nod is given to her panther friend, whose eyes glow again, sending Selina into convulsing pain. "Back off now, or she does!" Her gaze hovers towards the cat display, greedily eyeing the treasure there...

Of course there's a weapon or two in the very same display, but does he dare risk it? The panther is already snarling again, setting itself between Spike and Selina as Cat Lady begins to fill her pouches full of expensive cat statues and jewelry.

Spike has posed:
     "Funny thing that." he muses and not for the first time wishes that he had brought real weapons. Looking at the cat and then at the other woman he sighs, hands up for the moment though only to indicate a would be surrender.

     There is a sigh and once she goes about filling her pouches he mutters something darkly. From inside a coat pocket he produces a stake of all things. Some habits die hard. Can't deal with the Panther right off so...like the pro that he is he throws the stake at the woman. It's not like he's aiming for the heart necessarily, but it should tear into her stomach nicely.

Catwoman has posed:
She shows gleaming white teeth as she grins wickedly, "Good boy.." she purrs as she fusses over which treasures to pick out of the lot. She hasn't released her hold on Catwoman still, who continues to cower on the floor in a pained, crumpled heap, but at least she didn't kill her either.

Unfortunately, she's so busy picking at treasure that she doesn't notice when Spike throws a stake at her and she shrieks as it hits her side, blood trickling down her rib cage. "Fool! Just for that, I'll make you suffer!" she nods to the panther who glares at Catwoman again, red eyes gleaming which sends her into another spasm of pain, back arched as she screams.

"Stupid woman.." Snarls the Cat Lady, "Be a dear and get rid of that trash for me!" Catwoman climbs stiffly to her feet, staring blankly at Spike as she coils her whip and snaps it with expert precision at Spike's feet, attempting to grip him up.

Meanwhile, Cat Lady and Shadow are already beating a hasty retreat.."

Spike has posed:
     The good news...he lands the stake in her side. The bad news...the ship goes off like clockwork. He yells and collapses to the ground. He more or less gets the idea something bad is coming his way. The pain is bad enough, but he tries to get to his feet. The whip tangles his feet easily and since he's already shaky at best she manages to catch his feet and so down to the ground he goes again,"Bloody hell!"

Catwoman has posed:
Catwoman stalks towards him once he's down, blank eyes staring blindly at him, her mind miles away as that scar continues to glow angrily on her forearm. She yanks the whip back towards herself dragging him along with it before disentangling it from his feet. Once in close she picks up the stake he had thrown opearlier and brings it to his chest.

"Thats right..." purrs Cat Lady as she swings her whip upwards to snag an air vent, already planning her escape, "Finish him off!" and on that note, she and her accomplice make a quick exit as Cat Woman's stake comes ever closer to Spike's heart..

Spike has posed:
     The pain eases down and Spike realizes just how much trouble he is in. The trouble is, he is tangled in the feet and hitting her isn't really an option. So, for the moment he looks her into the eye,"You know. For someone that doesn't kill people you're starting to look like you might." There is a trick to staking of course and mind control can sometimes be thrown if the person's nature is called to mind.

     His legs are caught, but he's got his hands and he waits to see what she might try,"I mean it's not like I haven't had someone try to kill me after a first date before, but I haven't had time to really piss you off." The others are going to get away, but now he's got both their scents so long as he gets out of this,"So tell me. Are you going to let her make you break your own code?" He could slap the stake awa now, but sudden moves and all that.

Catwoman has posed:
Catwoman continues to approach him, staring blankly still, that painful scar seared on her arm and in her memory...Kill...Kill him..Kill..It's the only wire in her mind, a word so powerful, she can't ignore it. She crouches down now, straddling him as she presses the stake against his rib cage..

And then his words hit her, enough so that she hesitates. "Break....Code....?" she blinks, confused. Her..Code..Can she..Kill him..? This man who she is starting to care for...? She grits her teeth, clutching at her head, as searing pain hits her again, fighting against her will and her 'no kill' code...

Spike has posed:
     "What about it Selina? You think you can kill me?" he asks. His ankles shift back and forth, freeing his feet,"I mean I really thought...you know the first time....you wouldn't be the one." Yeah he's a demon inside and even in the face of potential danger he can be a perverse cretin.

     His hand slides down her thigh gently though that's probably a plan, but it is a playful touch at least for now,"What about it? You, me, and one of these tables or something. Desicrate something considered sacred?"

Catwoman has posed:
Catwoman frowns, fighting her inner turmoil..She's never+been a killer, never crossed that line between good and true evil. But..But..That voice is so compelling..Is she really strong enough to resist..? "Must..Kill..." she flinches as the red scar flares up again, but as Cat Lady and her accomplice put more and more distance between them and her, the mind control is starting to fracture..

He should have no trouble reeling himself from the whip around his ankles at this point, as she's no longer holding onto it. As for the stake, her hand trembles, and as he touches her thigh, she sighs softly, a soft, low rumble escaping her lips.

"Spike.." a slow, soft sigh, and the spell is broken. For now. "Spike!" more urgently now as she blinks a few times, quickly snapping out of it. She notices the stake gripped tightly in her hand and with a yell she tosses it a way, her touch becoming less violent, more..Gentle as she softly caresses his cheek.

"Spike.." she friend softly, confused, concerned.."What..Happened?"

Spike has posed:
     The upside to having the demon inside, there is a lack of caring about most forms of harm. Playing the odds that she wouldn't work against her nature no matter how controlled she is. He smiles a little bit and relaxes more when the stake goes sailing,"I suggested a roll in the museum...you didn't like the idea. I guess that means we should wait until we get home." he teases lightly,"What say we grab a few things and get out before Sleeping Beauty over there starts to come to."

Catwoman has posed:
Catwoman frowns a bit, still confused, a bit light headed, but she climbs off him nonetheless, offering him her hand to pull him up. "Dammit.lThey got away, didn't they?" she sighs, drawing a deep breath. "Yes, let's go home, nothing more we can do here..Besides the security guard will be waking up soon."

She smiles though at the offer. "I could do with a little TLC when we get home.." she grins rather wickedly as she retracts up her whip and recoils it around her wrist. "..Sorry I nearly killed you.." her voice is rough, tired, maybe angry..But not at Spike.

Spike has posed:
     Watching her get up he nods,"They got away, but they made a few mistakes." he replies. Taking the hand she offers he gets back to his feet,"I have her scent now too." Rather than hold on to her hand he takes off his shirt and walks over to where the other woman was robbing...and bleeding. Wiping the blood up with the shirt he wraps it up so it won't leak.
     Shirtless now, he reaches down to take up his coat. Fortunately for him it isn't shredded by the cat. A tactical decision on his part,"We have an idea about the Panther too." he continues. Coat on, cigarette in, Zippo snaps to life, and he takes in a slow drag,"Take the blood to Dresden or Willow. They might be able to draw a connection to the woman."

     The wicked grins gets one in return,"I like the way you think." he comments on the TLC comment,"As for the other. You aren't the first to try to kill me and you won't be the last. It might not even be the last time /you/ try to kill me. I've heard I can be insufferable."

Catwoman has posed:
Catwoman frowns worriedly as she watches him, watches the blood. She is relieved to see it is not his though and nods shortly, turning to glance up at the air shaft with a soft sigh. "Right..I...I shouldn't engage with the woman and her familiar until we do..I'm too much of a liability."

She smirks, feeling the pouches laden with jewelry and other semi precious stones that she managed to acquire, "But at least we don't leave empty-handed...Cmon, let's get outta here before the security goes back online.." and in that note, Catwoman leads the way, bask the way they came..