3137/Everybody Wants (Dim) Sum...

Everybody Wants (Dim) Sum...
Date of Scene:	12 November 2017
Location:	Hell's Kitchen, New York City
Synopsis:	The time they went to Hell's Kitchen for a midnight snack
Cast of Characters:	Iron Man, Elektra

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Iron Man has posed:
So it's time to go. And so Tony takes out a ridiculous amount of bills for what amounted to some wine and a bit of appetizers, and makes sure that the staff is taken care of as well as the restaurant for its exceptional service. And so he heads on over to the front and the valet tosses him the keys and he leads you over. One hopes the dress is forgiving, for you're going to have to get low to slide into the seat of the high performance Audi sports car that he's been driving lately. Of course, once inside, it has just about everything, including comfortable seats, seat warmers, and good company with Mr. Stark! He does act every bit the gentleman though and helps to get the door for you.

Elektra has posed:
Elektra is oh.. so amused, especially since she technically did the inviting and expected dinner to be on her tab. She's still that very amused while they're waiting for the car.. And even more so when she's given the gentlemanly treatment of the door being held for her (even though her car driver always performs the same task, somehow it's different when it's not required as part of the job).

"Oh, tell me you take this places where you can let it stretch it's engine."

It's not like new York traffic allows for much of that. And she doubts the path to dimsum is going to be any different.

Iron Man has posed:
Getting through the city at this hour of night isn't -too- bad, especially in this weather. fewer people out and about when it's raining as it is. But he isn't going to race too badly, not if it isn't necessary. But when he can get the engine going, he does, and you can feel it in every fiber of your being connected to the seat as the car just revs, accelearting, a quiet hum to the ears but to the body, you can feel the power running through the vehicle. And so he smiles, just driving a bit, "Is your security going to be mad I left them back there?" He fully doubts that you'd ever go out alone, without some escort. Though for all he knows they're being followed by a drone until they can catch up.

Elektra has posed:
It's easy to tell she's enjoying the ride, even if she's silent for the most part. There's just a palpable air about her that says she appreciates the vehicle on more than just an aesthetic level. "Oh, my detail will be fine. Such as it is. They might find themselves a little sheepish for losing me." Her lips purse over a smirk. "Should I be worried?"

The truth of the matter is, she doesn't always travel with security. There are more times than less where she arrives at a place and dismisses driver, car, and detail, totally planning to find her own way home.. with the requisite pit stops to allow her alter ego do its thing. That's the thing about security, or drivers.. you can't exactly slip into shadows and ply your trade as an assassin while under their watchful or waiting eyes. Though it's debatable if she'd already dismissed them this evening, so someone might be cursing a blue streak or two at her antics.

Or, maybe someone was savvy enough to actually follow her. She doesn't really care. It's not like she can't handle herself if necessary..

Iron Man has posed:
"Probalby," he teases when you ask if you should be worried but that's the thing about Tony. Is the suit what makes him Iron Man, or does he make the suit into something amazing? It's hard to say. So he looks to you, that grin, and yeah, at least Iron man is one of the good guys. If he were on the other side, being alone with him might be a more risky proposition but then again, you are one of the world's more premier martial artists - they'd still have to be pretty impressive to be able to do anything to you.

Eventually though you arrive at what looks like a mix between a run down laundromat and a closed, run down laundromat. If it weren't for the sign out front, you'd have no idea this place was even still open. The rain and dim sky doesn't help that fact. The car one would never believe would be safe here but he parks it anyway an dleading the way in...it's not the front. He leads you around the back, actually offering you his elbow to help make sure that you don't lose your footing in heels and the dark alley. You probably don't need it but he doesn't knwo that. When you do enter the back it's into the kitchen and you see a table that's really just for one but it has two chairs anyway, next to each other rather than opposite, so that they're on the perpendicular, and he pulls one out for you before sitting. Water and tea are brought, warm green tea....and then slowly food just starts...appearing.

Elektra has posed:
Her heels make a faint clicking, first on the pavement, and then, after a muffled walk across the carpetting in the inner room of the place, on the kitchen tiling. One might not expect her to accept or be at home in such a place... And yet? She is. She takes up the second seat - the one facing the door from the restaurant into the kitchen. With only two points of egress, one must be chosen, and the other left. She choses that one, leaving her back turned to the back door.

Like Tony, she has her alter ego, and there are things she will observe. Such as the constant situational awareness. Even if she seems utterly at ease, and without a care in the world.

"Interesting how a table was ready for us." Her lips return to that pursed moue of amusement. "I'd say you planned this if I didn't know any better."

She looks about, and while the place is clean enough for health code standards, it's exactly what one would expect of old world Asian. There's a certain reality that hits such a place. A look. A smell. A feel. While all restaurants live up to the adage that you don't want to see what goes on in the kitchen, perhaps Asian restaurants exemplify them the most.

And yet? She's beyond at ease. To the point one might wonder..

Iron Man has posed:
He smiles, "This table is always here. It's a perk, I guess," eh says. Though you know that tables like this aren't available for just anyone. Is he the only one allowed to use it? Maybe. Mabye there's one or two other people. But what a person does to earn such a thing? That's the question. You know people don't just walk in and take this table so what did he do to have that right? To have it here, always, and have food just start coming?

He smiles though as he looks to you and he pours the tea after it's steeped a bit, and he relaxes. "Well," he says with a chuckle, "Now that your role as detective is over, and now that we're somewhere more casual and I'd say far mor eto your liking, what is it you wanted to follow up on other than if I'd go ahead and be part of your good deed?" He's willing to at least, willing to listen, willing to chat, and thigns are mroe at ease now as he puts his suit jacket ont he back of the chair, pulls down his tie and undoes the button. This looks infinitely more Tony.

Elektra has posed:
When the tea is poured, she bows over it, and lifts it somewhate ritually before taking a sip. Once that is done, it's set down, the woman shrugging. "No agenda. While I do hope you'll participate in the forming of the Foundation, the rest is just.."

Again with the negligent shrug. "Must there always be an agenda?"

He's watched with some amusement as he dresses down to relax. by virtue of her little black dress, there's little she can do to return the favour, short of removing her heels, which she does, the fine stilletos kicked under the table, leaving her barefoot.

Iron Man has posed:
He grins a bit, looking back to you, as you get comfortable and he sips his tea. He didn't do the ritual but something about what you do obviously pleases someone because a rather rare appetizer involving some sort of fish and herbs that aren't easy to come by is brought over so, you made someone happy with your show of respect.

"No...there doesn't -have- to be. There just...usually is, that's all," he says with that little bit of a chuckle. "Especially when it comes to people of our type, per se. There's usually a reason for clandestine meetings and back alley deals besides really good food. But when there isn't I suppose that we just have to enjoy the rarity of the moment."

Elektra has posed:
That she's impressed with the appetizer is also evident. It's given it's name - it's proper name - and she gives another little bow to the chef, hands folded in front of her respectfully as she does so, before turning back to her dinner companion.

"Eat up. It's good," she comments without tasting, nimbble fingers taking up chopsticks and employing them like a native. "I believe I gave you my agenda. I'm presuming I may count on you to support the Foundation." She lifts a piece of the fish up, and bending over slightly in the native way, pops a piece into her mouth, eating it before continuing. "The food there was good, but it was becoming pretentious. We were becoming pretentious. I decided I'd had enough. That dimsum.." Her head shakes and she laughs. "What were they thinking? Are all of us such snobs that we just accept that and pat ourselves on the back for our wonderful dining choices? I'm almost ashamed to say we went there."

Iron Man has posed:
"That dish won one of the best new dishes of all of last year. It is good...it's just not traditional. You're letting your bias for the old ways of things show," he says with a grin. "Not that there's anything wrong with tradition. But pretentious...that is of course a personality. They were inventive. if you cling too hard to the past, to old traditions, you can't move forward. The balance is respecting tradition while promoting invention, that's the harder piece," he says in his opinion.

He is good with chop sticks and he picks up all the different parts of the meal with them. "Are you going to have a kick off night of any sorts for this new foundation?"

Elektra has posed:
Elektra laughs softly, "You were the one who complained first, I might point out." Her head inclines to him. "And there are reasons tradition holds. Though I'm not adverse to trying new things. Just, look at this place and tell me you aren't going to enjoy yourself more here with me than there?"

She picks up a second piece of appetizer, enjoying it before answering him. "I plan a gala. Press releases. Invitations. All the back-patting ceremony to make everyone who is anyone feel good about themselves. That's really the only way to make something like this work. Philanthropy comes with a cost, and it's usually vast amounts of public display. Why?"

Iron Man has posed:
"Just checking, mostly. I wasn't sure how public it would be or not. So it's always good to know in advance," he says and he mmms, and chuckles, "You haven't had the dessert here yet have you," he teases, realizing it. "You're going to be in for a treat I think. It's good, like real good," he says with a promise there. And he motions over for that, having seen them put it up. Iniside is the traditionall looking dim sum type little tasty treat, but inside is melted dark chocolate of the highest quality. "You need to poke the top to let it cool," he says. "But it's like the asian version of a molten lava cake."

Elektra has posed:
She's not unaware, but she allows for his instructions, poking a hole in the top and allowing the hot, chocolatey steam to fragrance the air. "I am always fascinated at how simple things can be so exquisite." She leans over the dish, inhaling, eyes half lidding as she appreciates the scent. "I'm not a terrible fan of sweets, but there are occassions."

Leaning back her gaxe flicks to him. "What of you? What's your agenda in this?" She gestures over the table, including the kitchen. "Or are you just tired of it all as well and want a break?"

Iron Man has posed:
"This seemed like a place you'd appreciate. And since I stop in now and then as a favor to the owners, I thought that since you wanted 'real' dim sum there's not a better place than this," he says plainly. With this, there was no agenda other than killing two birds with one stone. "You'll have to go in through the front int he future though, at least until they tell you that you can come back this way, if they do," he intones. Of course, he has no idea how tied to you they are, how tied they are to you, the triad and traditional stores like this, and then some of the other asian 'organizations' you've been affiliated with. It will remain to be seen but still.

He sits back though, relaxed, happy, "How can a woman not like sweets?"

Elektra has posed:
A brow raises. "Seemed like I'd appreciate? Oh, is there something about me you'd like to tell me?" She nods to the rest of his words, though. "I wouldn't think to insult them otherwise than to wait to be invited back here." And, indeed, she will wait. In all likelihood she may well be issued an invitation, though it may take more than Elektra Natchios to garner that; but that's easily dealt with. There are always signs and symbols once you know them, and she knows them.

Iron Man has posed:
He watches you raise your brow and there's a moment that he looks at you. As if you're an alien. "You're well traveled. You obviously have a love for the asian culture. We were speaking specifically about dim sum. So yes, I thought," and he puts extra emphasis on the next few words. "You'd appreciate....authentica asian cuisine." He looks back at you now and you can feel it, that gaze. But then he looks away and takes another bite, and a sip of tea, but yeah. You can tell something there irked? Upset? Or just...it just didn't fit with how the night has gone, the obvious out of place moment of dialogue there.

Elektra has posed:
Elektra pauses, watching his reaction. Her own mirth fades away into something more of concern. "And now I've offended you somehow. Which was never my intent. You were right. I do appreciate authentic cuisine. This place is delightful." Her own mood deflated now. Awkward in a way she's not been the entire evening. Awkward in a way he may realize she never is. As though she's found herself in a place she doesn't know how to exist in.

Iron Man has posed:
"Not...exactly," he explains. "Not me per se. Just...it was probably silly for me to even draw any attention to it. I don't always do nice things for people, because I usually question their motives. This was something I thought you'd appreciate so when you turned that around...I guess I was surprised you were looking past just the nice agenda. It actually ties back to what you said - does everyone have to have an agenda? Can't you just enjoy?" He shrugs a little bit, "So I guess I was surprised that you thought then I had this opiniong of you, or some part of you..."

Elektra has posed:
Her features grow very serious as she listens, then just as quickly move to something more nuetral. "Then I apologize. You'll have to forgive me. I don't often get to merely relax and enjoy myself. I confess, I've had some dealings with the culture, and for some reason I thought perhaps you were alluding to that." She inclines her head to him. "How about we both say we've learned something and we return to merely enjoying this meal and one another's company? I don't find your efforts silly at all. In fact, I'm more than a little pleased."

Her features return to amused as she looks about. "Who would think we'd be here. Elektra Natchios, and Tony Stark. Mavens of economics and industry, sitting in the back room of a hole in the wall establishment, eating chocolate dumplings and drinking tea."

Iron Man has posed:
Tony Stark smiles, "Not me," he says teasingly. "mostly because if I had picked where we were going, I would have been a smart ass and taken you to a place that served nachos. So...you're welcome," he says, for his NOT taking you to that kind of place when it came time for him to actually pick the restaurant. But with that he stands, and he takes an envelope out of his pocket that's folded in half and he leaves it on the table. It's sealed so you'd have to open it to know what's inside. "I need to get back to the tower. Would you like a ride somewhere? Can I drop you off? Perhaps help you find yoru driver before he thinks he needs to start looking for new employment?"

Elektra has posed:
Elektra outright laughs. "Oh, that's horrible. Such a horrible pun." He's treated to a mock-serious look as she tells him, "I've killed people for less, you realize." Which, though he doesn't know it, is also utterly true.

When he calls their 'date' short she merely murmurs, "I can see myself home. Please, don't trouble yourself."

Not I'll call my car. Or she'd like a ride. Just she'll see herself home. The envelope isn't touched, but as she rises from the table, she makes a small gesture with her fingers. It may or may not be noticed by the staff. If it is, it may be that she'd be welcome in the future. Or perhaps might find herself with something 'to do'.. But for now, it's just the way she holds her fingers, unless Tony knows better. And if he does... then there are conversations they should have in the future.

He's offered a kiss on the cheek by way of goodbye - European style, of course.

Iron Man has posed:
You offer the kiss. You get a hug. You can feel his arm at your back and he leans in, giving you a hug and a kiss to the cheek, but not European style. This is the American style. And again, the contact, it is possible you've killed people for less but his hand is not gropey - it's placed comfortably where a man may put his hand and dance. And the kiss really is just a light brush before he leans back, smiling. The one thing that you learn about that which you may not have expected is how powwerfully built Tony Stark is. He's always looked 'fit' but a lot of people probably assume it's a good tailor or the suit. They probably rarely assume it's his actual physique which...if well trained...would actually be a formidable foe to have to try to take down. Cause you know...Elektra...constant threat assessment. "I'll see you soon."

And some day perhaps, if you ask, you'll get the story of why he has a table at a resaurant in Hell's Kitchen where he gets the best food and no bill.