In the Heat of the Night

[kat]

It had been a long day at the gallery. Katrina thought those high grey pumps would never leave her feet and when Ms. Kemp’s chaotic kindergarten class left at around 2pm, it was the final straw. Some may think that 2pm was still early. Some may believe the feline shape shifter couldn’t handle herself and she was a pansy. Some may believe that she needs to toughen up and not be such a princess. Katrina’s day, however, started at 4am with a loud bang.

Even though her apartment was located in a safe neighborhood, that doesn’t mean crime was never committed. But, right there in her own complex? That was unheard of, until this morning. Before getting into the details of the robbery, first, it might be wise to explain fully the effects of Katrina Hathaway’s catlike behaviors. The heightened senses do play a role in this event, but so does another aspect of kittyhood. Cats, in some people’s opinion, eat, sleep, poop, and purr. That’s it. They may play with the occasional catnip or toy on a string, but basically they’re lazy. When they sleep, they sleep through just about anything when safe and content. Katrina’s previous day literally wore her out in preparation for a large exhibition coming up the following Monday. She worked for 10 long hours making sure paintings, plants, furniture were all properly in order to soothe the potential buyer while warming their hearts and giving them a sense of being at home. This is what she does, and has made quite a bit of money. Eventually, the feline would like to buy a home, somewhere with lots of property to roam. Her dream wanted to have a male involved, but being so busy and not having the best of luck in the dating department, Kat keeps her hopes of finding Mr. Right in a pipe along with winning the lottery.

Anyway, back to the crime. Katrina had been in a deep sound sleep. The purring mechanism was in full swing and if someone was sleeping next to her the vibration alone would have massaged an aching muscle. That became disrupted when a gunshot rang right outside her front door. If there could have been springs on the shapeshifter’s feet, then she would have bounced like Tigger out her bedroom window nearly ten stories down. Long story, short, there was a police chase to her apartment complex and the robbers had just gotten their booty from a prestigious jewelry store. The shots were from the robbers at police. The police did not want to shoot any innocent victims and thought gas would be more appropriate. Well, heightened senses make for a really bad morning being woken up by a gunshot, then having to smell that god awful intoxicating crap. The robbers were caught, and it started a long day of phone calls, snob nosed cliental, and a roomful of obnoxious six year old kids.

When her day finally ended, James told Katrina to just take the rest of the day off. Grateful to her owner’s request, the feline went home and took a catnap that lasted a few hours. After making her Stouffer’s lasagna meal in the microwave, the mutant decided that she would go out for a night cap at the local bar. Adorning a nice pair of tight jeans, brown silken shirt, nike tennis shoes, and her beloved brown leather jacket, Katrina was on her way. When she arrived, the site of Harley’s caught her eye. Did she really want to deal with another obnoxious group of thugs. Turning and trying to decide what to do, Kat tried to rationalize with herself. Thank god, no one was outside or they would have called the looney bin to pick up a loose patient. “Maybe they’re an old group of guys out after a hard day’s work like me. Or they could be a bunch of punks looking for a fight. Then again, it could be a bunch of women.” That last quip made her chuckle as the feline turned and decided to go inside.

Besides, how could her day get any worse?

[jeangrey]

It wasn't usually something she did, she didn't frequent bars, she didn't drink, but she needed to get away from the manor, even if it was only for a little while. Jean could easily defend herself, she had no worries there, but she didn't like to use her powers unless she had little choice, and she didn't carry weapons on her. A walk in Central Park at night seemed like inviting trouble, of course so did sitting alone in a bar, either way the redhead chose the bar. She had no intention of being there for a long time anyway, simply long enough to have a soda, and then head back to the manor. It had once been remarked that Jean had a rather shy personality and it was why she didn't socialize in establishments like this. That of course wasn't the case and she made her feelings known regarding the comment made.

Her day had been spent in the med lab working on various scraps, bruises, and other injuries that came from living in a school with mutant children. When she wasn't patching up kids she was running through inventory to make sure she was stocked on all the supplies she would need for the next six months. Unfortunately that became very tedious as she had no one to help her at the present time with the work. It wasn't of course that she hated what she did at the manor, there were simply days when she wished she had help, if anything to make things move a bit faster. So when she was sure no one else was going to come in seeking medical attention, and the inventory was halfway done, she chose to get out.

So here she was standing in front of the bar dressed in a pair of black slacks, a silver blouse, black boots, a long leather trench coat, and a silver and moonstone phoenix pendant around her neck. One hand ran nervously over the short layered fiery locks of hair and the back of her neck as she noted the vehicles parked in front and the sounds of laughter, music, and loud voices from inside. The redhead couldn't help being nervous, not only because this wasn't something she did, but because of the fact that there were so many people in one small enclosed space. Her telepathy was very sensative leaving her with the risk of losing control and having her mind open to everyone's thoughts in there. After a moment of silent debate Jean made up her mind and stepped into the place.

Emerald eyes scanned the main room taking in everyone she could see from the doorway before she started to wind her way through to the bar. The loud music seemed to stab into her head from the speakers and the press of bodies caused the place to be warm. Still Jean managed to get to the bar and find an empty stool to settle down on. When the bartender would manage to free themselves from other orders and get to her she would order a ginger ale with a little ice.

[kat]

It was like walking into a florist shop with closed windows. Only this florist was filled with cigar smoke, cigarettes, beer, wines, mixed drinks, body odor, leather, wood, and must. The scents overwhelmed the feline walking into the entrance blinking a few times for the smoke. If she had known it was going to be this crowded and wretched, the shapeshifter may have gone to the local liquor store for a bottle of cheap wine and then back to her apartment.

Eyes scanned the bar looking at scum winking back. A satirical role of eyes came back while the nerves began to slowly build. Her heart was beginning to race from the overwhelming aromas and small chance that one of these morons would attempt to hit on her and she’d wind up with an unintentional midnight snack. Having limited control of her abilities made it a little dangerous, especially in environments with precarious people. While her brain tried to catalog each scent, eyes were looking for someone anyone that would be…that’s when she saw her. Fiery red hair, a long leather coat, and what seemed to be business attire. Because Katrina did not have the ability to single out any one person’s scent as of yet, it would mean having to get a closer look. Oh thank God, someone normal. And she looks harmless enough. Probably waiting for her boyfriend. But she’s the only normal one here besides me. Wait, I’m a really normal? If only they knew she finished walking up to the bar finding a stool next to the other young woman. Giving her a smile before sitting, Kat waited for the bartender.

After ordering a glass of Mead, Kat took a drink praying the alcohol content would reach her brain in a hurry. Today was certainly “one of those days” and to make it a little fuzzy for a while seemed to be a good idea. She was about to break the ice with the woman next to her, when someone came up behind. Not only did the boots make a loud clicking tap across the wooden floor, the scent was disturbingly heavy of Labatts Blue Light. Probably around 10-12 beers already...smells like my socks after a hard workout. By the extent of his aroma, he needs a bath or maybe a firehouse she again spoke to herself taking another sip before hearing, “Wow, we never see two angels at one time in this place. Must be my lucky night.”

It took every bit of will not to choke on her next sip.

[jeangrey]

Crowded and loud, two things Jean was used to thanks to the volume of people at the manor, the looks and alcohol were the only difference between the two. As someone sat down beside her the redhead glanced over and gave the other woman a smile back. At least someone was willing to offer hospitality where most simply wanted to get drunk and find ass. This was simply one of many reasons why Jean didn't come to bars it was horrible and people showed their true colors. Before either woman could speak however the sound of a man's voice caught their attention and Jean let out a soft sigh. Great so she was being hit on by someone who stank of sweat, body odor, and enough liquor to float the Titanic.

Jean actually exchanged a look with the woman who had smiled at her before she was turning around enough to get a look at the man who was hitting on them both. "Luck would be you managing to get into a shower without changing your mind and running away." The redhead quipped catching the man's eye for a moment before she was shifting to turn away. "My friend and I don't need or want your company so we would appreciate it if you find someone else to drool over." She took another sip of her drink intent on ignoring the man unless he decided to take things beyond words. She didn't intend to use her powers if she didn't have to, especially with things they way they were with mutants, it would be a bad move on her part.

(OOC: Sorry its a bit shorter then my last post.)

[kat]

The other woman spoke and a sigh of relief flowed through the sapphire eyes of the shape shifter. Kat was hoping that she would help out as the scoundrel of a mess behind them continued to hit on them as though words were never spoken. The feline felt a dirty large hand on her shoulder. The intense part was when those wretched fingers wiggled through clean locks of hair. Now I’ll have to take another shower to get rid of that smell for a week she thought gently taking her own fingers and removing his hand. But the hand returned. “Oh ladies, you know you want this. How can you resist this massive presence before you. Let me buy you two a drink.”

Sapphire eyes made contact with the emerald ones next to the mutant. A sarcastic roll appeared, but something else started happening that began to bring a small amount of stress and fear to Katrina. Her heart began to pump harder. The wild part of her mutation began to control the mind. Kat has struggled since childhood to bring her mutation under control; when the beast inside starts to take control, the brain becomes a duel personality. The feline within begs to come out and play and destroy and eat and become the dominant one. Katrina ignored the cries inside her head. “It would be best if you leave me and my friend alone. Besides, we’re a couple and have no interest in male testosterones.” It was a lie, but maybe it was enough to get this man to leave before she lost control of the inner cravings; cravings to make this carnage of organs and meat or a midnight snack. She could not control the slight shake in her hand as she took another drink.

“Oh, all the better. You don’t understand. I don’t take no for an answer ladies.”

Oh shit.