12369/Xiaolongbao to Die For

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Xiaolongbao to Die For
Date of Scene: 22 October 2020
Location: Aunte Mao's Dumpling House, Chinatown
Synopsis: Janet is confronted by Tanya and is told of a missing friend to find. It's a mystery. Or something.
Cast of Characters: Havok, Wasp (van Dyne)




Havok has posed:
    It's one of those hidden gems. A small, out of the way dumpling house that normally only the locals know about. However, there are a few who have ventured down the back alleyways and various dead end streets who discovered the best kept secret of Chinatown. The restaurant itself is no more than 1500 square feet total, perhaps 750 of that is the actual restaurant floor where there are booths and tables of Oriental design scattered about. There are several waitrons wearing the standard white tops, black slacks/shoes who handle the floor and a small bar in the back with a nearby access to the kitchen. Normally there are only Asians within the restaurant (about half full presently), however today we find Janet has snuck away to her little secret hideaway to have some of the best Xiaolongbao and Dim Sum that Chinatown has to offer. It's to die for.

Wasp (van Dyne) has posed:
    Janet's out for a day on her own, no heroics, no Avengers drama, just a carefree afternoon and evening of her letting her hair down. Sure, it's short enough she never really does it up, but she insists that she's letting it down today. And that means treating herself to a nice meal, maybe a show afterwards, certainly the whole borderline tourist New York experience. And so she's dolled herself up, costume left behind, nothing but a little black purse with her ID, credit cards, and cell phone, she's utterly civlian. And so far it's going great, she's in the midst of a nice meal, relaxing, letting her worries drift away. Of course, this also means she's not really keeping her situational awareness up, after all it's not like she's Avenging tonight, so she's not keeping an eye on things, except for the occasional glance and smile to the waiters.

Havok has posed:
    The dim sum and Xaiolongbao are brought out in stacked/covered bamboo steamer bowls. They are quite warm, steamingly so. Every bowl has a different type within it. The sauces are organized nicely and the ceramic chopsticks are easy on the fingers. It's a very nice meal. It's a shame that nice things often get disturbed.

    A tall woman of Caucasian lineage and long black hair enters the restaurant. She waves off the approaching waiter and will cross the room toward Janet's table. She does so with focus and grace, not hostility. Yet, if Janet even takes a moment to scrutinize the woman, she may notice that there is a troubled look on her face. The woman wears black jeans, black boots beneath them. Her top is a black cotton v necked pull over with long sleeves. Black seems to be in fashion for this particular woman. She has a gold necklace around her neck that has a jade snake headed pendant which dangles between her cleavage.

    The woman will move toward Janet's table and say, "Hello Janet." in a very simple greeting. Her accent is northern, but not that Ooh sounding northern, more like Chicago northern. Janet will likely recognize the woman as Tanya Sealy. Also known as Black Mamba of the Serpent Society. A villain group that the Avengers have faced on numerous occasions. It's also clear that Tanya isn't hostile and seems to be moving to sit in the booth opposite our heroine.

Wasp (van Dyne) has posed:
    Janet's eyes narrow, not hostile herself, at first it's just curiosity at the tall woman making her way through the restaurant. Janet might not be on alert, but, well, she's got a feeling she's not the only one looking at the new arrival. She's ready to welcome a fan at first, only for her eyes to lock on that pendant and in an instant she knows it's not a fan.

    Her eyes narrow slightly further, giving a look up and down the woman once more, heels to head and back again, lips twisting slightly, ivory teeth tugging on the corner of her lower lip for a moment. She places her chopsticks together side by side by her plate, one eyebrow arching slightly as Tanya speaks, her own voice murmuring out softly. "Tanya, darling, really now. Hoping I'll share my dumplings? You really could have called first if you wanted a date."

Havok has posed:
    Tanya settles into the seat opposite Janet while listening to the heroine's words. Her dark eyes glance over the various bamboo trays then up to Janet with the hint of a smile. Her response is cross, "Either you were expecting me, or you're eating for two.". She likes her jab, quite pleased with it even.

    A waiter approaches with a glass of water and sits it down in front of Tanya who looks to the waiter and says, "Heineken in the bottle. And bring me a plate and some chopsticks. I'll be sharing hers."

Wasp (van Dyne) has posed:
    Janet lets out a shocked little -gasp- at that remark, eyes widening slightly, cheeks flushing faintly, "Yes, well, I have a -very- active metabolism. We don't all have to worry about stretching our tops out if we have a couple bites extra, -dear-."

    That last word's so delightfully, icy cold. But she's all smiles and warm looks to Tanya as the waiter takes care of her order,lips pressing in a thin little line for just a moment as he walks away and she murmurs softly, "Now then... you're not -really- here to mooch a meal, surely."

Havok has posed:
    "Not at all." Answers Tanya as she doesn't wait for the chopsticks. She reaches into the top bamboo tray and fishes out a small dim sum dumpling and will plop it into her mouth with a satisfied look on her face. She speaks with food in her mouth, "O' dis is gud." and then wipes her hand on her pants while chewing. Then will take a drink from her water before answering more fully. "Here's the deal. I've not heard from Rachel in a couple of weeks." Surely she's referring to Rachel Leighton, Austin, Texas native and co member of the Serpent Society who goes by the name Diamondback. A girl who has had an off and on romantic history with Captain America. She continues, "Normally we get together on every other Wednesday to catch up on girl talk and have lots of carbs. But she didn't show and her voice mail is full. And I'll bet you're wondering why in the world I'm telling you, right? Well, you're the best way to approach Cap and not get straight up tossed into jail because /laws/ or some crap that we may have, or may not have broken in the past. And since the two of them have a past... I just thought he should know."

Wasp (van Dyne) has posed:
    Janet lets out an almost indignant little sigh. Of -course- the food is good. It's one of Janet's chosen spots, the idea that it would be less than amazing is just bizarre to her. One eyebrow lifts slightly, teeth worrying her lower lip once more, as it's pretty clear she's picturing the two villainesses having a girls night. Wellll... it's not like heroines don't do the same.

    She sighs and pinches the bridge of her nose, murmuring softly. "Well, Cap doesn't seem like the sort to keep a girl so busy she can't answer her phone and lets her voicemail fill up. You realize how awkward this is going to be right? Are you -sure- you're not here to like... kidnap me or something? It'd honestly be less awkward."

Havok has posed:
    Tanya snorts when she laughs. Quickly covers her face and says, "Oh god. No. Kidnap you? You're way more trouble than you're worth. That would bring the whole Avengers down on little-ole-me and do you even know how bad that would suck? Kidnapping you is for people like Kang, the Super Adaptoid, Graviton, and... oh oh, that creepy guy... What's his name. He tried to collapse the universe in a black hole. Manly, Man, Male, Maelstrom. Him. Oh god no. Kidnapping you would be the stupidest thing I've ever done. And don't get me wrong. I know Cap is way too busy for her. They've not even been a thing in a while. But I do know Basilisk is involved. That jackass really wanted Rachel's number a few years back and I saw him sniffing around one of our hangouts one day. I can't find him either. And when Basilisk is involved, it's gonna be trouble for not just her, but all of us girls. He's a super creepo that would totally kidnap you too without regard to what problems that he would invoke. We really can't have some guy like that running around on the streets."

    She grabs another dumpling and tosses it into her mouth just moments before the waiter returns with the bottle of beer and the chopsticks and napkins.

Wasp (van Dyne) has posed:
    Janet groans softly, placing her head in her hands at the rundown of villains, shoulders hunching up before she puffs out a long sigh. "Okay, okay, fair point. Kidnapping me's probably never the answer to anything, except 'What is Ultron planning this week?'. But alright, I'll try to ask Cap. And maybe I'll see if I can snoop arund and find a lead or two on Basilisk, in case he's involved. I mean, hey, if I -do- get kidnapped it'll just get more heroes looking, right?" She pokes her tongue out and then shakes her head.

    "But really, I think you might have a point about eating for two. This -is- an awful lot of dumplings."

Havok has posed:
    She scoops up the chopsticks in one hand and then grabs and drinks from her bottle. She drinks quickly and quite a bit. Then sitting down the bottle, she will look up to Janet and say, "Now, I know I'm acting a bit nonchalant about it all. But I also know that Rachel can handle herself a lot better than most of us. And, I also know that I may be over reacting by coming to you. But the Society doesn't give a crap and I know that Cap being all boyscoutish, does. Oh, and of course you heroes like doing good things for people in need. All in all, I'm glad you're willing to help out. It really helps restore my faith in the system." She fishes for another dumpling with the chopsticks and struggles to keep it between the ceramic sticks. It drops mid way to her plate and it's caught by a darkforce tendril that lurches out beneath her hand.

Wasp (van Dyne) has posed:
    Janet sighs and rolls her eyes, then grins crookedly, "Well, after I find her and rescue her, maybe I'll invite myself to one of your girls nights. You know, payback for you inviting yourself to my day off?" She tilts her head and hums softly, "Don't supposed you have any idea where this Basilisk hangs out? No reason not to take a peek now while I'm undercover as it were."

Havok has posed:
    She plops that dumpling into her mouth while Janet remarks and then nodding, Tanya responds with food in her mouth. "Th ar wif no nam." then swallows to restate, "The Bar With No Name. But that place is always moving. Last time I was there, it was somewhere in the Seaport District. Off Peck Slip. May have been three weeks back. If you're lucky, that's a great place to start. But you better wear a mask."

Wasp (van Dyne) has posed:
    Janet grins brightly and shakes her head, "Oh, a little makeup and a black dress is -far- more undercover than a mask. I'll keep things nice and subtle." She grins brightly and stands up smoothly, working at the hem of her dress to smooth it out, "Besides, I'm a heroine, I can handle myself if things get nasty. Or you'll just have to come rescue me sometime, right? Professional courtesy and all."

Havok has posed:
    Tanya watches Janet rise, eyes looking over the dress that the heroine wears. Producing a hint of jealousy in the gaze. Then looks up to Janet's face and replies, "Of course. That would be a fun adventure. And when this is all over, girls night would be sensational." It doesn't appear that she will stand or has any intention of leaving. There's food and beer in front of her and she's content to stay and eat more.

Wasp (van Dyne) has posed:
    Janet does her best cheery whistle, blows a kiss, and sways her way out the door, a little spring in her step. It might not be her usual day off, but a little mystery solving? Rescuing a villainess? Well, it's not her usual relaxation day, but it ought to be interesting all the same. After all, it's not like she goes bar hopping to The Bar With No Name, usually it's more night clubs and dancing than villain hangouts.