5121/To Seek Whats Stolen

From United Heroes MUSH
Jump to navigation Jump to search
To Seek Whats Stolen
Date of Scene: 07 August 2018
Location: Gotham City
Synopsis: Lara retrieves a gem from Catwoman, who asks to go on an unusual adventure with the nerdy archaeologist from SHIELD.
Cast of Characters: Catwoman, Lara Croft




Catwoman has posed:
Selina Kyle has more than one apartment around Gotham City, but this one's the one she's had the longest, ever since before she was even Catwoman. It's the one that most feels like 'home,' the one with the cats that wander up the fire escape to say hello... She likes it here, even though it's positively dumpy compared to some of her other safehouses.

Right now, Selina is in a pair of gym shorts and a tank top that advertises a bar that doesn't exist anymore, but which used to be in Gotham's East End. She's sitting with her foot up on a desk, as she wraps her ankle in preparation for a night's rooftop gymnastics. One of her Catwoman suits is draped on a chair next to her, and her whip is on the coffee table... right next to the Orzith Ruby, a gleaming red rock as big and as round as a newborn's head. The Orzith Ruby used to reside in the private collection of some old kook who collected 'magickal artifacts.' Not anymore, thanks to Selina. She's still not sure what she's going to do with a gem that big. Obviously, there were stories about how it contains some kind of conduit to unholy power and magic this and sorcery that and blah blah blah... Selina didn't pay any of that any mind.

Lara Croft has posed:
Unfortunately, for Lara Croft at least, that Ruby was needed for a mission to the Amazon. It was to be placed into a headpiece that would then be used to shine its red hued rays across a wall which would complete a map by lighting it up with its magickal lights... a small part of a massive adventure that the Tomb Raider had been working on for the better part of a month now.

So naturally one of Selina's burner phones suddenly gets a buzzing Text Message from a random number. The text details about who she is, telling her everything up front... Lara explains that she's with SHIELD, she explains what she does with SHIELD, she explains where she works at (the Triskelion in New York) and that she lives in New York as well... because when dealing with a thief of Catwoman's level? Being upfront, is something Lara's learned to do first.

Lara had ended the text message with a location and time where she'll be found, in Gotham City since she knows that Catwoman's haunt. Lara's at a bookstore of rare and antique books, her hands are in the pockets of a dark navy blue jacket with shield logos on the shoulders... Its late now, the sun is down, but she figures thats also best for the 'the Cat' and how the Thief operates.

She doesn't even know if the Thief'll show, but she has to try.

Catwoman has posed:
Upon receiving the text, Selina frowns. First, she's annoyed that now she has to get all new phones. Second, she's annoyed that someone's asking her to do stuff on THEIR terms, which just never sits right with the cat burglar as a personality thing. Selina looks over at the ruby on her table. Well, she thinks, at least they didn't kick the door down...

A bookstore means that Selina can't just show up and crack her whip. Well, not without causing a scene, anyway. Summer makes it hard, too. Winter, she can just throw on a (faux, of course) fur coat over her Catwoman get-up and be done with it. This time, she has to show up dressed somewhat like a normal person, in a well-fitted black blouse with a wide collar and black slacks, with jewelry set with gleaming black onyx stones... it's a whole look. Despite her somewhat-dressy outfit, she has a baseball cap on mostly just to keep her face off of security cameras.

That's the Selina that taps Lara on the shoulder after creeping up on her from behind. "Meow," she says, teasingly.

Lara Croft has posed:
Lara had provided her with a photo of herself on the corner, so it was definitely easy to find the Agent, and when Selina does... Lara had been watching a pair of business men getting into a cab across the street. She startles a little, her body shifts in surprise a bit and she turns around to look at the well dressed woman in the baseball cap.

Lara's quick to glance around, but they're alone on the street corner. "The Cat?" Lara asks then, and of course it is... the woman just 'meowed' at her. Her right hand is quickly shoved outward to offer a shake, and Selina will likely note that her hand is bandaged around the palm with her thumb sticking out through a hole in the wrapping... she'd been injured recently obviously.

"I'm Lara, Croft... with SHIELD. I'm horribly sorry to have bothered you, I assure you this isn't related to any sort of legal actions. I do not wish to make you think that I've lured you into a trap. I've researched you, I know that you're far smarter and skilled than to let a person like I accomplish anything like that." She's rambling a bit, talking fast and her British accent makes it seem all the more exotic how she speaks those words.

"I simply need to... barter with you, for an item you've reportedly recently come into possession of." And with that, her other hand is showing her phone and a picture of that Ruby.

Catwoman has posed:
Selina glances down at the injured hand, and then reaches out with her thumb and forefinger to take Lara's hand in the most gentle, dainty fashion possible and give it the world's most pointedly bland 'shake.' "Nice to meet you, Lara. You're new at this whole SHIELD thing, huh?" the cat burglar says with a broad, sly grin.

"I just say that because it's pretty weird that a SHIELD agent would text me and set up a date instead of just throwing flashbangs through my windows. Though, maybe you ARE a SHIELD agent, because so far this is a REALLY boring date. You didn't even order any wine~." Selina folds her arms. She sounds like she's ready to have some fun with this, now that she's seen the SHIELD agent in the flesh.

"Barter? Mrrr." Selina reaches up to stroke her chin in pantomime thoughtfulness. "You know, I might have seen that thing," she says. "Somewhere quite nearby, actually. Now, if I was to be given the proper INCENTIVE to maybe give you some vague idea about where I happened to glance at it...~"

Lara Croft has posed:
Lara doesn't seem to be afraid of feeling pain in her hand... perhaps it hurts all the time and she's grown used to it... or perhaps she's just used to pain in-general and chooses to focus her thoughts on other things.

Either way, she huffs out a soft and short laugh at the part about her SHIELD status. "I'm not that kind of Agent." She tries to explain. "I'm an 'Acquisitions Specialist' ... which is a fancy way of saying that I track things down, and bring them back. But the 'things' I'm searching for are magical artifacts that can cause more harm to this planet than they can provide good. There are a lot of strange things across our world, things that can end up in the hands of people who'll use them to... make all of our lives much worse."

She nods then at the words about incentives, two quick nods and then she adjusts something on her phone and lifts it up. "All the information SHIELD has on your operations around Gotham, locations of at least some of your safehouses... I offer you the opportunity to 'lose' these files. Give you a clean slate within the group so that no one can track you down, like I did... or worse, with flashbangs and... mayhem."

And then she quickly adds. "And I apologize about no wine or fine dining. I wasn't sure you'd even come."

Catwoman has posed:
Selina laughs softly at the apology. "I thought about no-showing. Then I cased you out through the window and thought, aw, she's too cute to leave stood up." Selina winks playfully. She really is having fun here, and it shows in every movement she makes, every word she speaks. This is a new situation for her.

"And sweetie, make no mistake, you ARE very cute and all. But if you had kicked in my door, it would have started with me grabbing my bullwhip and ended with your doctor regretfully informing you that you're never going to see out of that eye again~." Even Selina's idle threats sound like they're coming from a place of great enjoyment. She sounds so cheery saying it that it almost doesn't even come across like a threat.

"So that's the deal? You get that big, pretty rock, and I get to have your papers on me disappear? Hmmm. I mean... it sounds like you need the ruby more than I need you to delete your records of my lease agreements. What if I wanted you to sweeten the pot a little, Agent Lara?" Selina reaches out, to give Lara's cheek a gentle pinch if she can get in close enough. "Maybe I want that fine dining date after all, too~."

Lara Croft has posed:
Lara is just sort've standing there while Selina moves around her and says all of this, its kind of humorous really... they're both attractive women for their own different reasons but the stylings that each one carries themselves is quite different.

Lara pulsl her phone back and glances down at it. "I thought that might not be enough for you." She mutters then and even goes so far as to release a light laugh, but it fades rather quickly as she's not really the long laughter type of woman.

She looks back up to the Cat and softly shakes her head. "I wish I had time for a dinner date, I really do... but my time is so booked that I'm... rarely ever able to even enjoy food away from my own desk, or whatever airplane chair I'm couped up in for hours on end." So she seems reluctant on the dinner engagement? She's socially awkward, Selina will be able to see this quickly.

"I can provide money, the full dollar value of the item when it was last professional appraised."

Catwoman has posed:
Selina rolls her eyes at the offer of money. "Oh, come on," she says. "Money? Don't get me wrong, Lara. I deeply adore money, and the things that I can spend money on. But... how BORING."

Selina turns and walks away a few paces. Is she leaving?

No. Selina turns on a heel and looks back over her shoulder. "What do you need it for so badly, anyway?" As much as Lara is socially awkward, Selina is true to the stereotype of curiosity killing the cat.

Lara Croft has posed:
Lara stares on as Selina paces away and she's about to speak up believing that the woman IS leaving, but then she's turning around again... the question is asked... and Lara starts toward her, reaching inside her open jacket that covers that dark gray tanktop she's wearing beneath it and she pulls out a map, well a map and a leather journal.

"For my work." Lara replies to her now, siddling up beside the Catwoman and offering the map and the journal to her. "This map will show you the direction that I have to take the ruby, and the final spot that I need it. Its powers are exetensive, but its really only a guideance tool ultimately... it doesn't -itself- pose any threats to the safety of Earth, but it can guide individuals to things that do."

The map has an Indiana Jones-style red line through the amazon jungle to a pointed scribbled with numbers and the name of the temple on it, none of it is in English.

"That ruby is the key that I need to uncover the rest of my map." And she looks back over to the woamn standing beside her. "What if I offer to bring it back to you when I've finished with it?" She doesn't want to do that... the jewel can lead to other items, but she has to do what she can to complete her job.

Catwoman has posed:
"First of all, don't hand your important things to thieves," Selina says, while holding the map and the journal and looking them over. She glances up to make eye contact with Lara. "It usually doesn't end well."

Selina glances back down, and studies the map for a moment. "So you're going to South America... to an ancient temple... you know what? You can keep it, Lara." Selina hands the map and journal back. "I'll bring you right to it, even. But I get to come along on your little South American trip. Gotham's been just as hot and humid as the rainforest this summer but at least the rainforest doesn't smell like a hot dumpster."

Lara Croft has posed:
"Duely noted." Lara replies softly to the master Thief as she'd handed her the map and journal, not really expecting the woman to care about it since she hadn't thought that Selina really cared for the sort of things she was invested in... different worlds, and all of that.

"Parts of it can..." Lara comments then about the rain forest smelling of less than quality things. She accepts her items back and then nods her head one time to her. "I won't stop you from coming with me, I will warn you that traversing this sort of terrain can be anything but pleasant, however. The jungle is... well its challenging. It'll be a couple of long plane rides, a number of long car rides and then a very long hike before we even reach the site itself." She has to warn the woman, since Selina is standing there in rather fine clothing, and has a bit of a socialite air about her that suggests a disinterest in long jungle hikes.

Catwoman has posed:
Selina raises an eyebrow, but her expression is a wry smile. She looks amused by Lara's attempts to sell her on the dangers of the rainforest. "Mmm. Duly noted," she says, mirroring the SHIELD acquisition agent's word choice.

"Well, come on then. If you're really in such a hurry, we should wasn't any more time, should we?" Selina hooks an arm around Lara's, to lead her along. "Besides, you've got a whole dumpster to look through for that ruby... Kidding~."

Lara Croft has posed:
Lara is fine with linking arms with the Thief, she doesn't have any valuables on her besides the map and the journal and those... had already had been given a chance to swipe from her. She's in the process of stuffing them back into that interior pocket when the little dumpster joke is made, which does get a reaction out of Croft, as she looks quickly back over to Selina while the two of them start to walk.

But when it comes to light that it was just a joke, a sudden smile crosses her lips and she shakes her head and glances away. "You're going to be doing that a lot, I can tell. Exposing that I'm not the bets when it comes to humor and spotting jokes before they're made. A curse I've dealt with since I was a child. 'Overly serious' is something used to describe me since way back then, among other things." School hadn't been kind to the only child, who'd been an introvert and had lost both of her parents when she was a little girl. She hadn't even had any real friends until college.

"Thank you. By the way." Lara adds as they walk, and looks back to her. "For being willing to help me with this."

Catwoman has posed:
Selina looks over at Lara with a tiny smile that carries with it great smugness. "Overly serious, I see. Really, Lara, I didn't think about it like that." Selina looks forward as she leads Lara out to the street, up a block, over to the next street... "Really, I had just thought you were a bit of a nerd."

Finally, Selina lets go of Lara, and walks into an alleyway, disappearing into darkness. There are noises that sound like someone parkour wall-jumping between the two buildings... wasn't she in high heels...?

A few moments later, Selina returns with a Birkin bag in hand. Her hair is a little messed up and her hat is in her other hand, but other than that, her outfit looks completely undisturbed. She unzips the bag and tilts it toward Lara, showing the ruby inside. "I suppose I should go pack for our big rainforest adventure, hmm?" she asks, teasingly.

Lara Croft has posed:
Lara is quick to nod her head at the nerd part. "That is also a name I've been called, many times." She says with a slight grin showing on her bare pink lips. "Which I'm completely fine with, they're supposedly 'cool' now, right? Nerds?" She wasn't sure really, she was horrible with popular culture.

Once in the alleyway, Lara waits at the mouth of it, she has her hands at her sides and is just watching up into the darkness... she was no stranger to parkour herself, navigating the terrain in unique and unexpected ways, but in this instance? She just stands and waits...

And then Selina reappears and Lara steps toward her, she drops her eyes to the bag as its opened and she can see the gem inside it. Her brown eyes lift up to Selina's greens and she nods her head once to her. "We can have a flight out as early as a few hours... if you're comfortable with riding on a SHIELD craft that is... plus, comfortable with coming to me to the Triskelion in New York. Or, we take civilian means, which will likely take a little longer... a day or so?"

Catwoman has posed:
"Mmm. The Triskelion." Selina thinks it over for a moment. "Sure, why not? Maybe you can get me on the books as a consultant." She almost purrs with amusement at the idea. Besides, she'd love a look at how that place operates from the inside... and she's... REASONABLY confident she can escape it if it's a sting.

Lara Croft has posed:
Lara again releases a soft and short little laugh, then nods her head once to the woman. "I'll see what I can do once we're there." She tells her. "But to be honest, SHIELD really is very good to those who play nice with them..." She then is quick to shake her head. "But I promise you, its not like that, I'm not here to draw you into their 'web' so to speak. I'm just, not that kind of Agent."

Its then that Croft starts to step backward. "My Jeep is parked across from that bookstore, its black, you can't miss it. Once you have your stuff packed, I'll be there waiting." She offers another simple nod to the other woman. "Pack light, long pants, tshirts and a jacket work best, tanktops as well." She has no idea if Selina has experience in this sort of thing, but it never hurts to offer a little advice.