4178/A Belated Welcome to the Neighbourhood

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A Belated Welcome to the Neighbourhood
Date of Scene: 30 March 2018
Location: Unknown
Synopsis: Peeved at being denied her usual cure for frustrations, Elektra goes calling upon her neighbour, Lara Croft. The women start down the road to friendship. Or at least commisseration.
Cast of Characters: Elektra, Lara Croft




Elektra has posed:
To her credit, Elektra did go home and rest that first night. Truth be told, despite her anger and frustrations over the situation with Matt Murdock, she truly needed the rest after the altercation that had left her wounded enough that she couldn't indulge in her favourite passtime for dealing with said frustrations: Dealing with random thugs in alleyways.

By the evening of the next day, Elektra was already crawling the walls with boredom, and that coupled with ehr frustrations was not a happy combination. Annd while she couldn't go out hunting, as was her usual wont, what she did have was a ready supply of some wonderful vintages of wine, and a neighbour she'd never paid her respects to (for all the obvious reasons).

Tonight all those reasons seemed rather moot.

Thus Elektra gathers a couple of bottles of wine in one hand, and glasses in the other and finds herself outside Lara's door, knocking.

Lara Croft has posed:
Lara had been a busy person ever since she moved back into her father's building here in Manhattan. This building was reserved typically for very wealthy people who were either alligned with the Crofts or somehow associated to the company... or just wealthy enough to buy into the place. Lara didn't LIKE residing here and wanted to find a different place, but she just hasn't had the time.

She'd come home an hour ago after having gotten back to Manhattan with... well, with the God of Thunder, it'd been a very interesting day and for her part she'd done things that she'd have to process potentially for the rest of her life!

So when the door is knocked upon, Lara looks up from her laptop where she wsa entering her day's journal events... and she stood then and went to see who it was, no one has knocked on her door since she moved in here, but then again this building was guarded and internally a very quiet place.

When she sees the raven haired neighbor outside, Lara opens the door fully and greets her. "Oh, hello... I... don't think I've ever had the pleasure of learning your name." She says with a slight huff of a laugh.

Elektra has posed:
Elektra is mostly leaning on the door frame, the bottle holding hand on the door-frame leaning side; the glasses holding one free to gesture, displaying those glasses.

"Elektra. Elektra Natchios. I believe we're neighbours. And while I don't normally do such things, I'm just this side of doing myself an injury and thought perhaps you'd like to share a glass of wine or three."

Rather cryptic of the woman, but she does seem slightly on edge about something, and is holding herself in a very guarded sort of fashion.

Lara Croft has posed:
Lara's eyes take note of the wine bottle and the glasses and then she looks back to the other's face when she introduces herself. It takes a second of thought before Lara nods her head then, she laughs softly and steps backward to let Elektra inside. "Yes of course. Its, good to get to know your fellow residents living around you, yes?" She'll let Elektra pass inside before she'll close the door behind her. Lara's apartment looks similar to Elektra's own, except there's basically nothing in it except in the living room corner where her desk is, THERE she has her laptop and tons of books all around it, as well as a pin board pushed up against one of the large windows that is loaded with maps and pictures all pinned up in seemingly haphazard fashion... this all makes Lara look quite odd.

"I love your name, and your accent, is that... Greek?" She asks the other then, motioning toward the living area, which at least does have a sofa and chairs tha tlook completely unused.

Elektra has posed:
Elektra pushes off of the doorframe with exquisite care - she might not have obeyed Claire's instructions and stayed with Matt until her wound was healed enough for her to be out and about without concern for tearing the stitches and doing more harm, but she also doesn't have any desire to be laid up any longer than necessary. Her compromise is not killing anyone, and, for her, taking it easy. For some value of easy.

Following Lara inside, her eyes take in the place, lips forming a line of subtle amusement. She knows full well what her neighbour is worth, and to see the inner workings of the other woman's mind is something of a pleasure. If only because it confirms a few things for her. In the way that Elektra's place makes minimalistic furnishing look cluttered, Lara's place shows an extreme disregard for her accumulated wealth.

"Greek, yes." She nods, and moves towards one of the unused chairs, taking up a careful perch upon it. "Under normal circumstances I'd have forgone this little ritual, but as it happens I find myself in a mood. I hope you don't mind? I came bearing wine."

Lara Croft has posed:
Lara was a terrible host, she struggled with the idea of whether or not she should get some sort of food to put out... but then she realized all that was in her fridge was a few boxes of chinese takeout from three nights ago, prior to her leaving to help Thor... That wouldn't be good of her to set THAT out for a refined person such as Elektra.

Lara just stutter steps as the other sits down and then decides to just move to join her, but she sits at the sofa's corner not too far from her guest's chair.

"I haven't had a glass of wine in awhile, and I think its long overdue, to be quite honest." She grins softly then. "I've had a... long day, you could say, an eventful one... a GOOD one, but yes, a long day." She smiles then to the other, her British flavored voice sounds borderline tired, but she seems yet still energetic enough to chat.

Elektra has posed:
Elektra gives a softly amused laugh. "My day has been mind numbingly boring. Thus the alcohol. And look, a bottle for each of us. Though if we run out, I've plenty more back in my apartment."

If she's bothered by the lack of food being offered, she doesn't say so. As it happens, the first bottle has been opened and the cork pressed back into the opening, such that she only has to pull it out and pour them each a glass.

"I find I don't indulge too frequently on my own." For all sorts of obvious reasons. A full glass is pushed Lara's way, Elektra picking up her own glass and lifting it in mock-salute. "Cheers."

Lara Croft has posed:
Being that Lara is 25 years old now, she's been drinking for awhile, especially since the drinking age is lower in her homeland than it is here in the United States, she hadn't even come to the US until she was 23 years of age. BUT, Lara wasn't a heavy drinker, ever. She could count on one hand the number of times she'd gotten actually drunk. She accepts the glass from Elektra and shows her a faint smile there-after. "Neither do I. But... I just got back from assisting a rather, unique associate in retrieving and ancient item that had been stolen from him. Something quite dear to him, so it was a... complicated, but reward experience."

Lara then takes a sip from the wine, then another larger one because dayum it was good stuff. Lowering the glass down to her lap she shows a smile to Elektra. "So what is it that you do? I knew that you were in the Residence aside my own, but I hadn't thought much beyond that... I'm somewhat of a recluse, so my apologies for not reaching out to you first, especially since my family name is on this building. It would've been proper of me."

Elektra has posed:
The salute accepted, Elektra sips from her glass, easing back into her seat. "Unique associate? Oh, do tell." Her words given in a dry, droll manner. "I dare say you'd be hard pressed to shock me, but I could use a distraction."

After all, it's not like she doesn't come with a unique little story all her own.

Another sip of wine is enjoyed before Elektra settles her glass casually upon the arm of her seat, one hand steadying it, index fingers curled about the bowl of the glass while the others hug the stem, "What do I do? Oh, well, that's a long and complicated story in and of itself. Though I'm fond of saying I could tell you, but I'd have to kill you after." There's a shrug and a subtle smile from the woman that suggests she might not actually be joking about that. "I tend to keep to myself as a matter of course. I find my reputation goes before me and I'd rather not have to fend off the fanboys."

Lara Croft has posed:
Lara is having another sip of her wine as Elektra replies and when she lowers the glass again she's smiling. "I've had an uptick in 'fanboys' this past month myself..." She tilts her head then as she continues to explain. "About three years ago I signed a book deal about my first expedition as a professional, college graduated, archaeologist. I didn't realize that it included the ability to adapt the book into a screen play for a film and that film... just came out a few weeks past." Lara shows Elektra another faint grin. "I guess it wasn't very good either, and it changed a lot but kept my name. Which is horribly frustrating."

She reaches her right hand up to stroke some strands of brown hair out of her forehead. "At least I've gotten some good messages showing me the fans who enjoyed it and are now actively following me as much as they can online."

Lara is about to take another sip of her drink when she remembers Elektra asked her a question about her associate. "Oh, Thor." She said then. "I helped Thor retrieve his hammer Mjolnir from Mount Olympus of all places..." And then Lara nods TO Elektra. "In Greece." She then shows another faint grin.

Elektra has posed:
There's a nearly impressed look from Elektra on the matter of the film. "I'm afraid I don't follow such things myself, but impressive. That really is taking fangirling to the extreme. I do hope the casting was flattering if the screenplay left so much to be desired."

"I can't say I understand the concept of fans." Though she does have a certain following with the paparazzi, what with her socialite bearings, and her father's money behind her.

"Greece, hrm?" Her lips form an amused moue. "I know, but if you expected shock about Thor, I'm afraid you might have to try harder. Though I'm curious, is he as handsome as he likes to purport himself?"

Lara Croft has posed:
Lara shows a slight grin then. "I met her, the actress who portrayed me. She wanted to have dinner to get a chance to speak with me prior to the filming. She was very nice, but... I haven't even seen the film myself, so I'm there with you. I don't watch television or movies very often."

Another slight sip was taken before Lara sets the glass down again on her thigh. "I wouldn't expect you to be shocked by the revelation that I was working alongside the God of Thunder." She says with a teasing sly grin before she looks away again toward the windows out over the Manhattan skyline. "But... yes, yes he is as handsome as they say." She looks back to Elektra with a continued little grin, reserved manners in this British woman. "As handsome as he'll tell you he is also. But he does it with this... underlying beam of good natured fun. He knows he's charming, I suppose. But he's a honest heart too."

Elektra has posed:
Elektra shrugs. "I'm afraid I don't know too many of those types in my life. The boyishly charming with a good heart." She can't even say Matt fits that bill. "I'm afraid my life is populated by those with entirely more money than good sense, and an overwhelming urge to puff themselves up and look better than they truly are. It's all rather mundane and boring."

She draws her glass closer, pausing to inspect the depths before taking another sip.

"I find myself rather more intrigued by those things I can't find in the socialite set."

Lara Croft has posed:
Now THOSE are words that Lara can certainly relate to and she sends a smile over toward Elektra after hearing them. "I spent my entire childhood trying to deny my parents from forcing me into their socialite society. The title of 'Lady Croft' was something I wholly disliked. They wanted me in etiquette classes and the finest social circle clubs... Where-as I wanted to be at home researching and learning about... mummys and buried treasure." Lara gives another grin toward her neighbor and guest.

"I can introduce you, if you'd like." She suggests then to Elektra after taking another sip of the alcoholic treat. "To Thor, that is. Maybe you two would hit it off." And she's grinning faintly once more as the alcohol is already loosening her tongue up a bit, she wasn't ever quite good at holding her buzz back.

Elektra has posed:
Elektra arches a perfect brow, perfectly. "Oh?" Stopping to consider the ramifications of this. "I suppose I could do worse than meet Thor." Allowing a small laugh for the thoughts of hitting it off. "He certainly wouldn't be worse than my last boyfriend."

Those words offered with a certain terseness from the woman.

"Actually, he'd be part of the reason I decided to wander the halls this evening. Men. Can't live with them, it's apparently a felony to kill them."

She smiles coldly as she lifts her glass in toast before sipping, rather heartily, from it.

Lara Croft has posed:
Lara holds the half-empty glass up against her bottom lip and then smiles past it. "This is why I abstain from relationships all together. I haven't the time, nor the patience for them." She replies to the woman efore nodding her head simply once. "I'll see if I can't whip up a meeting, perhaps come by your place with some counter-offered beverages and a large, muscular, blonde, God. I think that would put me one-up above you." She's just teasing the other though and her good natured grin would show that.

"Feel free to rant about your past love interest, being that I've no idea who he is that makes me a valid sound-board for all the venting you should ever wish to do in regards to him and his likely many shortcomings."

Elektra has posed:
"Well, I don't find sex all that offensive, but I am considering a moratorium on relationships." She sounds utterly bemused by the thought of meeting Thor, however platonically.

She considers a moment, shrugging, "Ever hear of Nelson and Murdock?"

Lara Croft has posed:
"I would certainly agree with that." Lara counters a moment bofore taking a breath. "Except if you do 'that' with 'them' then they expect you to be instantly locked into a relationship." She grins softly there-after before she hears the follow up question and her head shakes side to side after swallowing the wine down.

"I haven't." Lara responds. "Is that a... tv show? A sit com?" She asks then, proud of herself in remembering the term 'sit com' even if it is actually meant to be one word and not two.

Elektra has posed:
"Not if they sleep with me, they don't," Elektra. "I like my men to know their place."

That being said, Elektra doesn't enter into relationships with people, let alone men. That Matt got underneath her guard was the exception that created the rule.

"No, no such luck. Just a rather opinionated lawyer with a rather inflated moral code."

Lara Croft has posed:
Lara gently nods her head to the other woman's words, there's something about this woman that is very intimidating and Lara Croft is not easily intimidated it. The woman has a darker side looming behind those eyes and Lara can feel it when she speaks certain words or the way she hints at things, its unsettling, best remain on her good side if at all possible!

"Lawyers are the reason that I had to sign a book deal, and they're why I had to do therapy for two years. Among many other things. So yes, uh... stay away from lawyers." Lara adds with a slight grin before she takes another sip of her wine.

Elektra has posed:
"Oh? Do tell." Elektra's amusement is dry. "Therapy, even?"

The words are lightly mulled around in her mouth before being rinsed away with a mouthful of wine. "I'd indulge in therapy, but my medical practitioner has advised against it for the next few days." One might suspect Elektra and Lara are not talking about the same sort of therapy. "He has his redeeming moments. But we've tried all the ways we know to make it work.."

There's a dry, helpless sort of sound from the woman. "Really, I'd have been better off not to engage in the first place. More fool me." Though saying that, she softens somewhat. "It's funny, I never expected to care about someone. I find myself singularly equipped to deal with the matter. It's simpler when you can ask them to leave and shut the door behind them once the fun is over."

As though Elektra actually invites strange men into her home.

Lara Croft has posed:
Lara's free hand goes up to rub at the back of her neck beneath her dark hair as she hears the 'Do tell' part. She flashes a small grin. "Its a long, and grim story. One I wouldn't wish to put on you."

Another sip of her wine glass is had and its about 2/3rds empty now as she lowers it back down to her thigh. "So you had an intimate moment with someone who you actually connected with, which is rare, and now you're concerned with how to deal with it because you normally shove aside such trivial concepts and instead focus on the sex, then when its over you feel nothing... Except now, this time, you've felt 'something' and you're unsure of what to do with it?" She asks, a rather deep and lengthy observation based on what she's heard from the other so far tonight.

Elektra has posed:
"Ouch," Elektra minces quietly, sipping from her wine to cover some of the sting of truth that Lara's uncovered. "Though somewhat less unsure of what to do than we've hit upon some irreconcilable differences." That and the small matter of Elektra, being who she was, put Matt's life in danger. And he, being who he was, meant she was utterly manipulatable by the fact. Not that Matt couldn't handle himself to most degrees, but the kind of danger that would assert itself found being left alive an amusing invitation to try again - and they had no compunctions about killing, even if he did.

"I'm afraid I've a long and grim tale of my own."

Lara Croft has posed:
Lara finishes off whats left of her glass of wine and she nods slowly to Elektra's response to that summation of her situation. "I can see that you do, and feel it on your voice. Its a weight, one I have in ways myself." Lara's eyes go back over to the other and she summons up a smile for her drinking partner tonight. "I wish I could say that I can tell you precisely what you should do and it would resolve all the... negativity surrounding it all. But sadly, my expertise is uncovering lost artifacts in deep dark places. None of which pertain to the heart or the coupling of men and women, or otherwise." Lara shows another little grin. "My suggestion would 'bury yourself in your work until you forget about it' but my heart tells me that a true psychologist would scoff at that very notion and label it 'grossly unhealthy."

Lara leans forward to put the glass down on the corner of the coffee table then in front of her legs.

Elektra has posed:
Elektra laughs outright at Lara's suggestion she 'bury' herself in her 'work'. "Oh, you have no idea what you ask, my dear Lara. Given that it's my work that's the largest bone of contention between us."

It's really a daring admission all things considered, but Elektra has reached the point of less fucks given, and really, in the scope of things she can prevaricate around what she doesn't wish to speak about. All things considered, Matt Murdock isn't known for his liking of the socialite set, either, preferring his down and out practice to offers of higher prestige. It's not like she can't make an argument for that very thing rather than the actual truth: the fact that Elektra kills for a living.

"It's really a rather moot point. And please, help yourself to more wine. I certainly didn't bring it to have all alone."

Lara Croft has posed:
Lara gently nods her head to the other's words and she leans forward to pour herself another glass. She just stole a hammer from Mount Olympus a matter of 12 hours ago... she can have more wine, she's earned it. Right?

"Well, Elektra..." She sips her drink and then glances back to her. "And I reiterate, I think that is the single greatest name I've ever heard." She shows a smirk that shifts into a grin then before she looks forward again toward the other side of her apartment's living room. "You're my neighbor so that instantly means I have to agree with whatever it is that your side of the argument is... Plus, he's a lawyer, and its hard to beat those in being awful..."

Lara looks back to her then. "If you really love him, and he really loves you, then truly nothing -should- keep you apart. Work would be a horrible thing to let stop a life of love. Afterall, we're all headed to the same place eventually... What time we have we should spend as happy as possible."

Elektra has posed:
"Womanly solidarity," Elektra declares, nodding approval as Lara goes for more wine. "I don't normally imbibe with quite such abandon, but I figure today is a special occasson." She doesn't elaborate why.

Lara's words are mulled, Elektra quiet for a time. First one sip, and then another disappearing in silence before she murmurs, "You would think, wouldn't you? Though I confess I never understood love. It seemed a silly frippery and altogether dangerous. However, as it happens ours is a relationship defined by too many outside things. I'm afraid there are those of my aquaintence who wouldn't understand, and many of those lack the self-control to not take that argument out in a rather.. well, let us just say that their displeasure is emphatic."

Lara Croft has posed:
Lara softly dips her chin in another nod. "I've never met someone that I fell that deeply for. I've had plenty of people seek such a thing from me, but my passion lies elsewhere. I have work to do, and a relationship would only weigh me down from those goals." She motions to all the books and study / research materials gathered around her desk and laptop.

After a drink from her fresh glass, Lara glances back to Elektra. "Well, you always have me here to share your thoughts with, and you don't have to bring wine every time." Lara shows the other another smile beore offering a raise of her glass to her.