3554/Cats do like Lasagna

Cats do like Lasagna
Date of Scene:	03 January 2018
Location:	Gotham City
Synopsis:	Summary needed
Cast of Characters:	Red Robin, Tigra

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Red Robin has posed:
    The Gotham Arboreteum has been the site of a few clashes. Right now, though, in the quiet dark of a cold, overcast Gotham night it is a rare bit of warmth. The heavy glass dome keeps the cold out, and keeps the inside in relative warmth and shelter. He's a clever young man. A single bit of IR paint has been left atop the dome in one of the service hatches. 'MK'. Miss Kitty.

    Once she enters, the smells of the trees, and the relative warmth are obvious. It's cool, but it is a crisp sort of cool. Jacket weather for most. Likely downright pleasant for the furred tigress woman. The smell is incredible. Hot, immaculately prepared italian cuisine. Her nose leads her off to a more secluded bit of space, where a few evergreens screen off an area for some taller, but bare trees. Settled on the ground is his cloak. A heavy insulated basket, and some plates.

    Red Robin is up in the tree, out of the eyeline, but not at all hidden from her. He's just in a position where he could move almost any direction if he had to.

    "Hi," He says, quietly, but it carries well in here.

Tigra has posed:
    Tigra knows where the Arboreteum is, of course, and she follows her nose from there. Literally and figuratively. The infrared paint does help, although on one level she finds it curious that he'd expect her to be able to read it. Then again he IS a pretty clever guy.

    Dropping through the service hatch, she falls gracefully to land on the balls of her feet... knees bending deep. Remaining in the crouch, her nostrils test the air while her tail swishes behind. Garlic. And oregano. And parmesan. Senses perk and she follows the aroma, moving at a lazy trot over to the secluded area with the picnic spread.

    Her head tilts, trying to pick up sounds now that her nostrils are flooded with Italian cuisine. The feline woman doesn't look as her host announces himself, but she replies in a slightly louder voice. "You can come out, now. I won't bite."

Red Robin has posed:
    "It isn't you. I had to make sure the guards got their bribe. The Batman and I have saved their lives a few time, but always bribe a guard. Give them something to enjoy and look the other way." he drops from the tree, rotating once. He falls in a three-point stance. "I'm not afraid of you." He says it quietly. There is something off about him. His smile is still there, but there is something eating at him.

    Speaking of eating, in the guard post, Fred says to Mike. "Dude. She's hot." Mike grunts. "Yeah. She vanished though. Kid has good taste." he serves up a portion of food onto a paper plate. "He can date her all he wants here if he keeps dropping off food." The other man has to agree.

    Back in the trees, Red Robin makes a gesture, "Please, make yourself comfrotable? I... didn't bring wine. I'm flying. I'm sorry." he doesn't look old enough for it anyways. He moves to pull the basket open. Steam escapes. "Seafood, chicken, pork, or beef lasagna?" he has one sealed container of each. His left brow tilts upwards. "I didn't want to assume. There is also salad, but you strike me as more carnivorous than not." He will pass her the container, and moves to settle a very colorful salad within reach of her. There are the bottom, she can smell them now. Some very decadent chocolate, flaky, moist pastries.

    His eyes linger on her for a long moment. "I'm supposed to say you are lovely. But I think you already know that."

Tigra has posed:
    Tigra's nostrils quiver a moment and then she nods. "No you -aren't-." she replies softly. Padding closer to the food, her tail swishes with anticipation as primal urges kick in. "But you're not yourself, either." It's a casual enough comment, and she drops it lightly before moving on.

    "Wine isn't necessary, although I do like a good bottle." Approaching the food quite closely, she remains standing and bends low to savor the aromas as each dish is uncovered. The long tail shifts and twitches some more, then she settles slowly. Long legs cross as she folds into a sitting position.

    "I do appreciate the flattery. A woman likes to be noticed for what she is, Red." Tigra offers thickly. "And you have been very thorough in your preparations."

Red Robin has posed:
    "If you decide to spend more time with me, you will discover I always have plans. I have all sorts of plans. Schemes. Wheels turning." he doesn't make it sound like its a good thing. "My mother called it an unquiet mind. Always turning. Always working something over. I don't think she meant for me to use it how I am. but, I like to think she's proud." He admires Tigra behind his mask. "You might have to contact me for the next meeting. I made a mistake, and I got involved in something. Training for it will eat up a lot of my time, I think." He considers that. "But I think I want to keep seeing you. I know you save that for the end? But I like you."

    His left hand taps his temple. "I know you are dangerous. Please do not take this as me calling you incompetent or anything. You have a soothing presence on my brain. Even your voice is easy to listen to. It quiets some of the gears grinding in here a little." His hands fidget, and he uncrosses his legs. He widens how he is sitting. It is very forward. He's offering to let her sit with him. "I don't date much." he says quietly, as if not wanting it to get out. "There isn't a lot of time in my life for trying to seduce college girls in the back seat of my father's car. I don't imagine you get to date much either, being an Avenger. Thank you for spending time with me." Also something to put at the end of the date. He doesn't do this much at all. What is odd is the level of sincerity. There is tension in his frame, but it is lessening. "I really wanted some company. You are beautiful, and not fragile, and you understand the sacrifices of the life. I... just wanted to see you. It's... nice."

Tigra has posed:
    Tigra shifts side to side as she focuses her attention on the food. At least initially. "Yes. You Bat-types ARE the sort to plan every last detail." she agrees. Brows knit when he mentions making a mistake that will require training. Then his legs uncross and she considers the shift in posture. Rising, she eases over to settle across his lap instead.

    "I really don't -date- much either. At least not how society would consider it. I follow my instincts wherever they lead me. And, for the most part, the choices haven't been bad." She considers him for a moment before continuing. "I'm not fragile and I'm not shy, Red. But I'm also not pushy."

Red Robin has posed:
    "Alpha female. I can accept that." He is both happy and surprised as she sits on his lap. She immediately can feel his temperature rise. His left hand settles at his belt, and turns his suit heater off. He doesn't seem to know where to put his hand. That left hand settles at her knee, then an inch higher. His right wedges between a tree and her back, fingers stroking her tail once, as if to figure it out, then becoming a backrest. his fingers do almost playfully tangle in her hair. His heart rate picked up, but his breathing if anything slows down. Soothing presence, even as her presence causes other problems.

    "Have some? I understand orange cats enjoy italian?" There is the requisite Garfield joke. His tone is gentle though. "But please, seriously, enjoy. I just really wanted company that isn't judging, or pushing. I really wanted to be with someone who wanted to be with me. I like that about you. I know, that is selfish. I like that you like me? But, it helps. In the basket is a burner phone. It is programmed with my burner phone number. It's a hotline. I will continue to hack twitter accounts to tweet at you for normal communication. Batman is willing to share intelligence with your organization, but only so long as we are sharing. Which I am sure is fine. You don't want to be used to do our dirty work anymore than we want to be used for the same purpose.i Would add a catch on that. If you plan operations in Gotham, and you are the Avengers, let us know. We might have been working assets and contacts that can be of use, or that we need to move or shield from you to preserve our longer term mission." He explains it directly. "On the flip side, it also means we can funnel stuff towards you. We would prefer to handle Gotham ourselves, but you do sort of have a mandate. I'd rather not have us getting in each other's way." He pauses, and his hand sort of caresses her knee. Its like he is unsure what the boundaries are.

    His move is sudden, and if she allows him to, the kiss is what she's come to expect; well-done, intense, and long-lasting. They leave him gasping a little. She's got more lung capacity, they just likely leave her with a minty sensation; Red-Robin never has bad breath when he kisses her.

Tigra has posed:
    Tigra settles across his lap and eases her hand up beneath his arm, fingers curling over his shoulder from the back. The tail curls and swishes with his finger-stroking, and there's a low rumble in her chest to accompany it. Her gaze meets his while he talks shop, and she listens. Nostrils twitch with the aroma of the meal, and when he mentions the burner phone she looks towards the basket. Distracted for just a moment.

    The woman's leg flexes when he caresses her knee, and it evokes that low rumbling sound again. Another distraction, another twitch of her nostrils. And that's when he kisses her. For someone who's surprised, Tigra reacts quite well. The kiss is met fully, fingers tightening on the top of his shoulder. She does have the greater lung capacity, and she isn't the first to pull away. When the kiss does part at last, Tigra has turned at the waist to face him more fully. Her other arm drapes lazily around his neck and she gives him a smile like she just ate a canary.

Red Robin has posed:
    He would never say anything out loud about it, but a part of him has to wonder if this is what it is like to be Batman sometimes; he has conflicting drives and emotions here. It's amazing. It's warm. It's real. It is actual human contact. It is a rarity anymore. Everything has been his family, or someone in a costume that he had been associated with as well. He's been in this bubble of the family.

    He likes it. He likes the attention. He likes that he isn't just Batman's partner here. To her, he's a capable young man, at least he hopes she views him that way. In his little Robin mind that makes her more desirable; she likes him for who he is and what he does.

    That smile, and her purr brings a befuddled, almost innocent smile to his lips. "You purr!" he is absolutely entranced by it. His left hand slides over to caress her cheek and chin in a warm manner.  "I think you are beautiful and smart. Eat?" his smile is the sort of one that unfortunately makes him look a little younger than he maybe wants to right now. His slight blush maybe doesn't help. His left brow quirks, and the young vigilante adds. "I want to get to know you. Not just because you are a beautiful, exotic woman. It helps. It's the capable, dedicated Avenger part as well. I admire you. I looked up your bio. Did some research. You are remarkably brave."

    There is a little soft chuckle from his throat. A kind of flirty sound. "Also, you purr. I, uh, I like that."

Tigra has posed:
    Tigra squirms a little on his lap, smiling more broadly at his revelation. And the way she moves may provide a more obvious reminder that she's only wearing a bikini. "Of course I purr. Would you expect me to bark instead?" she replies wryly.

    Then he says the magic word. "Eat." she replies, nodding in agreement. Keeping one hand gripping his shoulder, she leans waaaay out and half-twists at the waist as she reaches towards the wonderful smell. Moving casually, she scoops out some lasagna onto a plate while she shifts and rocks upon his lap. Yep. Just the bikini. Drawing back again, she keeps her perch upon his and balances the plate on her fingertips. No fork, she nibbles delicately.

    "What mistake did you make that you need to train for? That isn't the usual sort of arrangement."

Red Robin has posed:
    His initial response is bold, and perhaps the most vulgar thing he has ever thought. His blush reddens. "A bark might be cute?' Red Robin admits. She keeps moving around in his lap1 Behind his white eye lenses, he squeezes his eyes shut. He silently endures the moment, trying not to think about that bikini. Or the shape underneath it. He's fine. He's in control.
    'well, i, uh, i think it.. It.. is really." he struggles with words! "Hot. Okay, it's really hot, and so are you. You win!" She wins. He hates losing, but she wins. He actually works a couple of clasps, and undoes a little of his costume collar as if he's steamed.

    With a nervous laugh, red Robin tilts his head, watching her eat. "I misspoke in front of a woman that I would be better served keeping my mouth shut. It was my mistake. I know better. I offered to take the place of someone I⦠I love. He's like the big brother i never really had. So, if I am going to take his place, i want to do well. I want to live. So, I am going to fight and win. If i want to win, i have to better than her, and she is damn near the best there is. So, i am going to train hard." he pauses. "But I think I made a mistake asking you out." he holds up his left hand. "Not the bad mistake. I.. just⦠i could used to this. You see me." He pauses. He gestures at the mask. "I mean, you don't know me. But you look at me like a man. A young one, I'll grant you. You don't make little bird jokes. You do not write me off as a sidekick, or an idiot, or a kid in short pants. You⦠react to me like I am a capable adult. Like I am someone who you would want to get to know."

    he pulls in a breath. "I like that. I like that someone like you can look at someone like me and not want to laugh because he asked you out. You are gorgeous and capable. That you would want to spend time with me? It makes me happy. Your purr? It makes me happy. I kind of want to return the favor."

Tigra has posed:
    Tigra is flirting and she knows it. Every move, every expression, and every word is laced in playfulness. And she relishes it. She also looks pleased when he loosens his collar. Giving a nod of approval, she continues nibbling.

    "This is a fight to the death, then. Against a skilled opponent." Tigra says this almost casually, albeit with a curiously arched brow. "I look at you like a man because you -are- a man. I know you are young, I hear it in your voice, but I also know you are capable at what you do. The only way that you are an idiot is in doubting yourself."

    More lasagna nibbling ensues before she continues. "But I was not always like this." Her long tail swishes for emphasis, brushing along his cheek. "My human spirit was joined with a cat spirit, it's a long story. We are now one person, but I can shift between as I wish. When you remove your mask I will show you."

Red Robin has posed:
    "So orange cats do like lasagna?" Red Robin asks her with a small quirked smile. "I had read that or something. Maybe in the paper." His hand tightens on her knee a little. He tilts his head to one side. His smile is gentle and he keeps looking at her face. Oh, the rest of her is a delight, but he keeps looking at her face. He watches her with a small smile. His mask shield his identity, but his grin? She'd likely recognize that grin almost anywhere; it is just a little crooked, just a hair sideways.

    He lets the hand rest on that knee though as he watches her. "That is the beauty of the mask. In some ways, I can say whatever I want to. There is this mask. I can be honest, because my face is hidden. Anonymity can breed jerks, but it can also expose the truth. It's funny that way."

    He regards her for a moment in silence. "If it were my secret alone, I would take it off. Maybe I am just bewitched? Maybe I am just fascinated, or too inexperienced. You aren't a bad person. I⦠already trust you. It isn't just my secret to share though. I mean, once you know who I am, well. The others are not hard to figure out. You would not tell, but there are consequences to my actions. That being said... " red Robin clears his throat. "I think that i can trust you. I am very good at determining character. I just need more than a hunch on that. Batman put his faith in me. I'm allowed to tell someone. I think he told me that, because he knows that means I will just be more protective of the secret."

    That being said, as he watches her delicately nibble, he admits, "The idea that you have a more human face?" he pauses. "I like this one." His cheeks go scarlet. "But it means that maybe someday we could just walk amongst crowds of folks and no one could know." he sounds wistful, and maybe a little lonely, but his smile is warm as he looks at her. "So? You are a magical meld of feline and female? What is that like? I mean, it is a dumb question, but it isn't. I mean, part of me -really- wants to pet you. That feels a little forward on our first date."

Tigra has posed:
    The tiger's eyes are bright and she rocks her hips at the question about lasagne. "You read it in the Sunday comics, you mean." she replies, playfully. Yeah, she got the Garfield reference. Toes wiggle when his hand rests upon her knee, and she watches him most curiously now. Perhaps wondering what he'll do next.

    "I do understand, Red. You are foresworn to another's secrets. The Bat, perhaps? I have the advantage of instincts to follow. They are hard-wired to my personality, and I have learned to trust them. Being fully human leaves you at a disadvantage. But trust is earned over time."

    More nibbling, her tail swishing and gliding up and down along his back over the costume. "The melding of cat and human saved my life as well as changed it. There was not a lot of time to consider alternatives, since I was dying. But I certainly made the right choice."