6351/Power Shopping

Power Shopping
Date of Scene:	02 February 2019
Location:	New York City shopping and Le Cirque restaurant
Synopsis:	Janet and T'challa meet for a meal and renew an old friendship.
Cast of Characters:	Wasp (van Dyne), Black Panther

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Wasp (van Dyne) has posed:
T'challa, King of Wakanda, had made a grave mistake. He'd come to Janet van Dyne asking her for some fashion advice. And then he'd volunteered to go with her... and help carry bags.

Janet shops with the sort of dogged efficiency that'd make a troop of soldiers wince. She's in leggings and a pink tunic-style sweater, wearing stylish high-heeled black pumps. The look is very 1980s, but somehow she pulls it off with breezy confidence.

"Oh my god, Monty, what were you *thinking*," she says, making a face at a floor-length gown in her hands. "I don't know what Givenchy's doing but I am *shocked* they're in business still," she tells T'challa. The blithe chatter continues endlessly unless she's interrupted. "They keep hiring these terribly avante garde artists and then are shocked when moody artistic types end up making ridiculous outfits. Then they throw a fit because their weird taste gets them thrown out of the Paris Fashion Week and sulk about it on Twitter."

There are at least a dozen bags full of clothes trailing in Janet's wake and she walks with the perfect self-assurance that T'challa won't simply *abandon* her precious clothing. Most of it obtained at significant cost from luxury clothier stores in a relatively modest, un-marked part of an upscale shopping center. It's the sort of place where politicians and wealthy socialites get fitted for their attire. Clearly, though, Janet's forgotten the original *purpose* of the shopping trip, as she's stuffing shopping bags to the brim with outfit after outfit.

Black Panther has posed:
T'Challa is the sort who rarely complains. And he finds a certain calming effect in watching Janet in her element. Watching Janet with clothing is a lot like watching Jessica with food, now that he thinks about it. He's wearing a simple ebon sweater with flecks of other colors running through it, and dark slacks. Everything fitting him as well as if royal clothiers had done his shopping.

T'Challa seems content to inject occasional questions. "And where do you think the new trends will run?" or perhaps, "What might have been done to salvage the dress?" Enough to keep Janet going though not contributing much deep thought on the subject of fashion himself.

Before long he is heavily laden with bags. A matter of bulk more than weight. He receives looks from other men he passes. Looks of understanding. Goodonya for carrying them for the lady. A text message was sent to Jessica after awhile, arranging a rendezvous to drag Janet off to a meal. "I believe it is getting near to time for dinner," T'Challa mentions at one point. Just priming Janet for what he hopes will be Jessica's arrival soon.

Wasp (van Dyne) has posed:
"Is it?" Janet digs a phone out of her purse and glances at the screen. A few texts are fired off with a flickering of her thumb, fast as any Millennial could do so. "Holy smokes, three hours really flies," she marvels. Moments after T'challa's text arrives, so does Janet's in Jessica's message inbox: letting her know where and when dinner will be.

"Well, let's get to Le Cirque, then," she tells T'challa. "I bought a share in it when they got new management, so they keep a table open for me. I hope you look French cuisine, Le Cirque's really an institution around here." She leads T'challa along, a half step ahead of the Wakandan royalty and with her purse hanging lazily from her left elbow. "I hear they have a Wagyu beef steak that's absolutely to *die* for, I really want to see what the chef's come up with. Maybe a nice salad," she adds, thoughtfully.

"I don't think there's much I could do with that dreaful Gevinchy outfit, no. Ugly lines, don't you think? And that color." She shudders. "Besides we're coming to summer so things shift a bit. My couture line is launching in Milan and then our discount label will be dropping clothes for places like Macy's and whatnot. Couture's always interesting, you get a combination of artistic types making bizarre ideas and inspired practical designs that don't get kudos on the catwalk, but somehow outsell everything else." She sounds a little smug about that-- easy ot guess what Janet thinks about that arrangement.

Black Panther has posed:
"Le Cirque is an excellent idea," T'Challa replies, likely to have eaten there during one of his visits to the UN at some point. "Your sense of taste is as refined as your sense of style," he tells Janet. "Might I call on your knowledge of New York's dining? I am seeking a place with elegant food. But where one might also partake in dancing. Not the club variety. Perhaps at a place close by. Somewhere that a young lady might find a special experience, were she not used to such places."

He moves along with the bags in Janet's wake, letting her lead the way. Does anyone tell the inevitable joke after they pass? "Who was that woman?" "I don't know, but she's VERY important." "How can you tell?" "She has the king of Wakanda carrying her bags."

Wasp (van Dyne) has posed:
"Oooh!" Janet skips a step and smiles back at T'challa. "No one's asked me out in ages! I guess that depends on what you like to do at nightclubs," she considers. "New Yorkers are kinda funny about what they do where at. Like if you want to do ballroom dancing, that's probably easy enough, there are some great places with ballroom floors. Clubbing, though, you'd need to get like... a private booth at somewhere with a restaurant inside." She's already forgetting the parameters T'challa set.

"Red Circle, maybe? They do mostly bar food I think. I try to avoid anywhere the mafia guys hang out though. I've got a good hookup for E at Tik Tok, but I don't think you can get food there. But you always pay out the butt for mood enhancers, dealers only go to the bad dives or the super stylish places. Isn't that funny?"

She waves down someone in a dark suit, who proves to be a member of her staff. "Ronald, take these bags and put them in the limo. Thank you, dear." She falls back and hooks her arm around T'challa's elbow without any self-consciosuness or invitation. "I've been thinking it could be fun to just like, take over one of the local clubs for an evening. Bring the whole team out somewhere, rent it for the night. When was the last time we all did a big team-building fun event, y'know?"

Black Panther has posed:
T'Challa lets Janet run through her thoughts fully. Seeming to consider them thoughtfully. Ronald is passed the bags with a soft, "Thank you, Ronald," from T'Challa, before the man offers his arm to Janet. Some combination of he would have offered it anyway, and knowing her well enough to expect it to be taken.

"A night out with you would be a treasure, Janet," T'Challa tells her as they walk along, enjoying the short walk from the chic clothing establishments to Le Cirque. "I am also interested in treating Jessica. I wish the experience to be pleasing. And memorable. She is not very comfortable in crowds. So I wish to avoid the normal club experience. Also, I am hoping you might assist in another way. Making sure she has a dress. One that is not too sleek to leave her uncomfortable. But that also allows her to feel a bit beautiful."

Wasp (van Dyne) has posed:
"Aww!" Janet touches her free hand to her sterum, eyes momentarily misty-eyed. "That's so sweet. No one does the old-fashioned courting thing anymore. I'm not even mad you turned down a date with me, she lied," Janet says, eyes dancing in a playful expression.

"No, for serious, Jess is amazing and I want her to have a good time. I think you oughta do like... okay, this is gonna sound crazy, but honestly you might go for ... Boardwalk fries."

She lifts a hand up to T'challa. "Look, like, me?" She puts fingernails to sternum again. "Any excuse to wear a ballgown, and I go through a few dozen a year. I'll show up, schmooze with the rest of society, make a few donations, go home and do it again the next day. Jessica's a really ... down to earth kinda girl. She doesn't like fancy stuff and she *hates* crowds, particularly crowds of super judgemental New Yorkers. I love her to death, but seriously, she is *not* ready for New York society. They'll eat her alive. We're very cutthroat."

"I say keep it chill. Jeans and t-shirts, go to the Boardwalk or some small restaurant. But! If you really wanna throw down the society playah card, then I think like-- Osiris? You'll need a jacket and she'll need a dress of some kind, but it's very intimate and super quiet. Fifty people a night, max. And if I remember right they've got a little area you could dance. If you *really* wanna go all in, I say rent every table in the place that evening. That way she's not self-conscious about it."

Black Panther has posed:
Black Panther is clearly listening to Janet's advice. "Oh, I agree, Janet," he tells her. "And, those are the things that we have been doing. Shake Shack. Ordering pizza in. Flying down to an unpopulated Florida island. However, she had mentioned wanting to try an expensive cheeseburger. I was trying to find just such a place as you mention," T'Challa tells her.

He pauses in thought. "That would solve the problem with the crowds. Though I admit, I had not thought of doing so. I did not want to seem to be flaunting the wealth," he tells her. "And... I will still have to think on that point." T'Challa rests his hand over Janet's for a moment on his chest. "As expected, you have given me excellent counsel. You are a blessing, Janet van Dyne," he tells her, patting her hand before letting it go. "And I would be honored to take you to dinner, as well. If not a date. For obvious reasons." T'Challa walks along with her, the restaurant near now. "The papers seem to think there might be involvements. Between yourself and Captain Rogers," he comments. Eyes drifting sideways to her without turning his head.

Wasp (van Dyne) has posed:
"T'challa, you're the king of a friggin' soverign nation," Janet says, rolling her eyes. "No one's going 'gosh who is this humble, frugal guy' as part of some zany 'The Bachelor' turn at the last second. Do *not* abdicate," she says, and pokes his sternum in warning. "Or give up all your wealth or anything stupid like that. There's big gestures and there are dumb gestures, and throwing away financial stability to lure a lady is right up there with stalking her on social media."

The tirade conceals a pinkening of her cheekbones, which she tries to suppress. Under his sidelong gaze, she fails, and the petite fashionista collapses with a weary sigh. "Oh, the papers think anyone who steps out with anyone is screwin' em," she tells T'challa. "Page Six will be blowing up with us tomorrow. Then it'll be someone new after that. It's just the tabloid nonsense."

"He's... I don't know. I'm terribly fond of Steve, but I swear to god that man is either gay or a monk. The way he gets all dewey-eyed about Bucky, and ... well. I'm pretty sure him and Wade are a 'thing'," she says, nose wrinkling. "It's very sweet and all, the way he gave Wade a key and let him use his toothbrush. I just don't know why Steve's so closeted about it though. It's not the '40s anymore. I've had *tons* of gay besties. I guess that's why I tease him so much."

Black Panther has posed:
"I would not sacrifice my throne. My duty to Wakanda. But, I had thoughts the young lady might see it as a waste. That amount of money could be put to great good. It is something I will think on. Perhaps, I might just order a meal from there. And prepare my own spot. The best of both worlds?" T'Challa gives a nod at his expansion of Janet's idea, as if seeming to like it a lot.

T'Challa opens the door for Janet as they arrive at the restaurant. "It is not the '40s any more. But he is a man of the '40s," T'Challa says thoughtfully of Janet's comments about Steve Rogers. "Not only that. He was a man of the '40s before he became the Super Soldier. Whatever he was, he is /even/ /more/ now," T'Challa says, choosing his words to emphasize very precisely. "I suspect a woman who understands that. Accepts it in him? She could probably win his heart." T'Challa tsks softly. "The rest? He was a soldier. Men of war have certain loyalties to each other. And Captain Rogers will have them more than any other."

Wasp (van Dyne) has posed:
Janet breezes along through the door without missing a beat. She smiles at the hostess, ignoring the murmurs and eyeturns aimed their way as the duo is escorted inwards. One of the floor managers bustles up to intercept them, clearly recognizing neither notable. The words 'jacket' and 'dress code' are murmured disparagingly at T'challa and Janet.

"DRESS CODE?" Janet bawls. Loudly. The entire restaurant looks at them with shock. "This is the KING of WAKANDA, wearing distinctly Wakandan clothing! How dare you malign his-- his entire *culture's*-- sartorial choices?!" she says. The Wasp lives up to her name, buzzing angrily in the maitre'ds face with a pointing index finger. "My GOD, the sheer close-mindedness-- I come here for fine food, not to have my friend's clothing besmirched by RAC--" The tuxedoed fellow blanches when he realizes his misstep.

"--right this way, miss vanDyne!" Two managers swoop in like a blur. One of them takes down the offending fellow with something close to a sideline tackle and hauls him into a service hallway.The other is ushering Janet and T'challa to their table with best possible speed.

"God, I *always* forget that you need a jacket in here," she mutters at T'challa, nearing the table. "Which, hello? 1995 called, they want their dress code back." She stands next to her chair, waiting, and looking totally unreptentant about her bald-faced bluffing to get out of the restaurant's demanding sartorial etiquette.

Black Panther has posed:
Black Panther's ability to hold to a distinguished expression is fine through all of Janet's tirade. T'Challa has mastered the imperious look to a 'T', though it is reserved for times it is needed. Well, or times that it is just fun enough. Like now. T'Challa gazes at the man with a bearing and dignity that likely seems to make him loom taller than the already impressive form he cuts.

Once the table is assured, T'Challa pulls out Janet's chair for her, assisting her in being seated before moving to his chair. "You enjoyed the entirely too much," T'Challa says. He smiles, that lopsided one that shows up as the truest form of his amusement or enjoyment.

"I had not even thought of this. When you said Le Cirque?" T'Challa says. He leans closer across the table. "Admit it. You planned it from the start," he says, finally breaking out in a soft chuckle and shaking his head. "Ah. I have missed you," he tells her, shaking his head.

Wasp (van Dyne) has posed:
"Uh, yeah I enjoyed it," Janet confirms. "I mean, yeah, like, okay, *part* of that was me being a woke-ass millennial and trying to break down arbitrary barriers to integration that are aimed at stratifying social and racial divides, but on the other hand, this is my friggin' table and I can't believe they hired someone who doesn't know who I am!" she fumes. "What's the point of owning a table if they don't, like, bring you to it when you come in?!"

She folds her arms and huffs, hunching irritably and scowling out the window.

"We've missed you too, T'challa," Janet tells her friend. "It's good to have you back in the fold. And I'll... I'll admit I've got no idea what you meant about the whole 'man of the '40s' thing," she tells him. "It's not the 40s anymore. We have equal rights and better food and YouTube. Why be stuck in the past like that? I mean, granted," she concedes, "Bucky's hot as hell but still, I mean--" she gestures at herself. "I use to think no one's *that* gay, but..." She gestures vaguely off in the distance. "I've been throwing my best foot forward and he doesn't even sweat. It's really unfair," she says, uncharitably.

Black Panther has posed:
Black Panther leans back in his chair, thinking of how to answer. "It was a time when gentlemen were expected to behave a certain way. They put a woman on a pedestal. They believed she should be courted," T'Challa says. He rests his hands on the table, fingers steepled against each other. "If they move too quickly with a woman? Even if she is willing? Then they are not showing her the respect she deserves."

T'Challa knows Janet well enough to hold up a hand to try to forestall her reaction. "I am not saying it is right or wrong. I am saying... that is how men believed they should behave. To ask him not to show you respect first? Is to ask him to not be Captain America." T'Challa holds up both hands in a shrug then. "Is that not what love is? Accepting the one we love, for who he or she is? And both becoming better people for it. Hopefully."

Wasp (van Dyne) has posed:
"There's a difference between being respectful and treating someone like a flippin' collectible toy," Janet retorts with a flicker of her wrist. "Or even *looking* at her. Steve can be respectful while still givin' a me little 'yo girl'," she says, uplifting her chin in demonstration.

At that point the waitress arrives and Janet smiles at the other woman. "Hi!" she greets her.

"Miss van Dyne! Your Majesty! So nice of you to be with us," the waitress says. Behind her a small line of employees are stacked, ready to move on the slightest whim. "Can I start you two off with some drinks? Cocktails, or wine?"

Black Panther has posed:
T'Challa looks over to Janet as if to confirm she won't mind if he orders the beverages for them. "A bottle of 1972 Romanee-Conti Grand Cru," T'Challa orders, choosing by quality rather than price. It's only about $15,000 a bottle but one of the highest rated wines in the world. He gives the waitress a smile and then turns back to Janet. "I think if you are willing to dance his courtship? He will be willing to dance yours," T'Challa tells her. "-OR- you could both come to Wakanda. We could teach you both the proper dances. You would look lovely in your body paint. A myriad of small dots. But no where too concealing. And Steve? Well, I won't comment on him. For I too am a man of war. I would not have you wondering about me," T'Challa says.

He delivered all of that with a completely straight face. Those aren't really their courting rituals, are they? And after she made the stink about Wakandan traditions? T'Challa sits gazing at her with that regal look. Which is probably the biggest giveaway.

Wasp (van Dyne) has posed:
"Wine for me, thanks," Janet confirms, nodding at the waitress when addressed. She looks back at T'challa. Janet's elbows rest on the table and she gives T'challa an impish, speculative look as he speaks. She picks up one of the pencil-thin breadsticks between them and rests it between her molars, wrist rolling idly back and forth. When he finishes, she gives him a flickering head-to-toe, then breaks the breadstick off in her mouth with a *crunch* and chews, with a laziness and feigned demurity.

"Mm, courtships, exotic vacation, body paint... didn't you just get through telling me you're courting Jessica?" Janet inquires with a sly expression. "I'd be using these lines on her."

"And for what it's worth, Steve *and* Bucky are both men of war, and at this point I don't think I have to wonder about those two anymore, but hey-- I hear all kinds of stuff happens in foxholes, right?" she inquires. Her head hangs a few degrees to one side and she bobs her brows at T'challa pointedly. "So are you picking my brain for the deets about Steve, or are you shopping for your next Queen and just tryin' to be coy about it?" She reaches for her wine glass and takes a modest sip, looking away with a Completely Innocent exression.

Black Panther has posed:
Black Panther touches his hand over his heart. "Touche, Janet," he says as she brings up Jessica and the courtship rituals, the well-groomed African chuckling warmly. His expression softens a bit. "Jessica... touches my heart, Janet," he says, eyes drifting off as he speaks. "She has such a... zest... for life," T'Challa says, speaking even more precise than normal. The man's dark brown eyes swing back to Janet. "I do not understand or know, what all she has been through. How many could be indoctrinated by Hydra? At that age? And still chose to do right?"

T'Challa sighs and says, "But I can tell the marks it has left on her. Her trust is such a fragile thing. And I have not gained it yet. I cannot even touch her hand, yet, Janet. Not without her tensing up." He shakes his head slowly, and for a moment it might be clear to Janet how much this pains him. "Revealing how I feel about her? I place something very dear to me in your hands. It would not take much to crush her, and destroy what trust I have slowly built with her. And she is too precious for that."

T'Challa is not prone to showing emotions very often. Even as he kept so many of his words slow and measured, his eyes revealed what the rest of him would not.

Wasp (van Dyne) has posed:
"Oh that's so sweet," Janet says. Lips tremble, and she looks skywards in a moment of emotional profundity. A little dampness can be seen in the corner of her eyes and she waves her hand near her face as if trying to banish the feelings there. She settles for using a tissue to carefully draw the water away before it touches her makeup.

"Oh, it's like a fairytale, you know? The pretty girl is held captive in an evil castle and the handsome prince rides up and wants to make her happy, but they can't touch and-- aww." She sniffles again and throws back a large gulp of wine.

"So sweet," she whispers, hoarsely. Overcoming her emotions, she marshals herself and smiles at T'challa adoringly. "I wouldn't *dream* of crushing your hopes, T'challa," she says, and reaches over to give his fingers a reassuring squeeze with both of hers. "Anything I can do to help the two of you bring it in to land, count me in."

Perhaps T'challa's second signficant miscalculation of the evening: Janet's promise of help places no clear limits on the upper boundaries of what she considers 'helpful'.

"Anyway, I'm gonna get all emotional. Drat you for making me cry," she says, abruptly swinging her cloth napkin at his hand to scold him. "If my makeup runs, I'm going to be very cross. Let's order, shall we?" she invites-- and the two settle in for what turns out to be a very companionable sort of evening.