| Sharing a Drink |
| Summary: | Unbeknownst to either of them, Power Woman and the Juggernaut run into one another at the Voodoo Lounge, this time in their civilian identities. |
| Date: | 2014-04-13 |
| Related: | None |
| NPCs: | NA |
| Scene Runner: | NA |
| Social/Plot: | Social |
| Players: |
 .. .. |
Big, beefy guys exist in the world. They aren't necessarily a dime a dozen, but they aren't so rare that a simple match in overall build would be enough to assume a known identity, especially so with a four foot height difference. So Cain is probably safe.
For her own part, Karen is in New York City following a business meeting with some investors. Tired of their stuffed-shirt questions and environment, she has broken free of them and decided that she'd look for someplace interesting to spend her evening. After some questions here and there amongst staff at her hotel, she has changed into her more comfortable, casual attire, and has made her way down into the Village to find the Voodoo Lounge.
Even playing down her looks as she does a bit, Karen still makes waves when she walks in the door. Few women are that tall. Few women that tall are built that voluptuously, even less so than her actual attributes. She is gracious and easy, without making her natural 'splash' anything bigger or demanding anything form anyone. She does not end up wearing one of those 'underage' bracelets, though that's owing more to the fact that the bouncer on duty didn't think to card her. After all, she couldn't be underage, right?
Karen comes in and stops, ostensibly letting her eyes adjust to the atmosphere. Of course her eyes did that before she ever got in here, but it's what people do, and she has a lifetime's experience playing the part. She makes her way towards the bar, since she doesn't have anyone to share a table with, and slides up onto a bar stool perhaps two or three up from where Cain is seated. When the bartender makes her way over, Karen asks for a soda. Just a soda, thanks. Then she settles in for some people watching herself. Unlikely she's going to miss the massive ginger seated down the bar, but she isn't staring.
And Karen is very hard to miss herself. Not many would want to either. Cain raises a brow as he considers the very shapely blonde moving up to the bar, eyes sliding briefly down then up. Taking another sip of his beer he raises to his feet, moving to a stool that's beside her. Or rather, with one seat between them. He's big, and the very next stool might crowd her. "Good evening. Mind if I sit here?" He nods down to the stool, and offers her a smile. He's….not exactly the most handsome guy around. Features are kind of rough. If he appealed to anybody, it would be the 'big and muscley' crowd. His bass voice is also a lot like that of the Juggernaut, but not as deep right now.
Karen takes a sip of her soda, nodding her thanks to the bartender, and turns to watch the Lounge, making it clear that she's people-watching. When Marko approaches, she isn't shy about giving him a once-over, but it's mostly just 'who is this guy and how should I react', just like any woman out on the town alone might do. "Hi. Sure, take a seat. I don't think anyone else is using that one." She has only been here a couple of minutes, so that's about the best she can do, really. She offers a friendly enough smile to Cain as he takes a seat, but goes back to watching other patrons after just a bit, clearly not wanting to stare. He's big - a lot bigger than most guys she's ever even seen, given he verges on a full seven feet, nearly a foot taller than her own towering height. And he's pretty built. But staring would be rude. She's guessing he moved to sit nearer to her because he wants to be close enough to chat, perhaps to hit on her. At the least, she's not running away. Maybe she's curious to hear what he has to say? Or maybe she's just not into being rude for no reason.
Since she's not looking his way, Cain can study the blonde techgeek in better detail, noting the beauty of her profile. His eyes also wander over the very ample curves she has too, of course. Yeh, he likes what he sees. Without a doubt, 99% of people who liked women liked what they saw when they looked at her. So no surprise there. He's silent for a short time then finally says, "So. Never easy deciding what to say when striking up a conversation with a stranger huh? I mean, pretty obvious why I came over to chat. But all the small talk and stuff…yeah." He stretches out a rather mssive hand towards Karen. "So, gonna start with my name. I'm Cain. Cain Marko. It's nice seeing a new face here in the Lounge." So! He's going with blunt and direct. Makes sense, doesn't it?
When Cain speaks up, Karen turns away from people-watching to regard Cain, waiting while he speaks. She doesn't interrupt; that would be rude. When he's done, she nods slightly, acknowledging that she heard what has been said, before she decides to respond. "Nice to meet you, Cain Marko. I'm Karen. Karen Starr." See? Friendly return for his difficult, slightly awkward investment. Now he has a name for the smiling, stacked blonde, who does briefly reaches out to take that hand. Her handshake is very gentle; frankly, it's almost dainty. "I am a bit of a new face. I'm only in town for the day, and I fly out tomorrow. I asked around, and someone at the hotel suggested visiting this place." So here she is. Karen sips her soda, alternatively watching Cain, and watching the bartender interface with some of the other patrons at the bar. At least she doesn't turn back away to stare out at the rest of the Lounge.
The man's hand pretty much engulfs her own when he shakes. He is big. His palms are a bit rough, but there's no signs of scarring or the like on his knuckles, which seems like it should imply he doesn't do much fist fighting despite the build. He doesn't squeeze too hard, perhaps out of a fear of hurting her. If only he knew. "A pleasure Karen. Only in town for the night? That's a shame. You in town for bsuiness or is this a vacation?" He seems mosty intent on her. He's not outright staring at her, but she does have his clear focus. He leans a little closer. Not really invading her personal space, though with his size she might be more aware of his proximity than she would a more normal sized man.
"I was in town for business. My business is over for this evening, and I came here to enjoy myself for an evening before heading back tomorrow." Karen answers honestly, with a nod for Cain. "My vacation won't come until probably early June." she offers, without further explanation. She doesn't seem to be too intimidated by his presence or his size, but she doesn't seem unaware of it either. "I take it you're more of a regular here?" she inquires conversationally.
Marko smiles and nods, "Yeah. You could say that…I actually work here. Bouncer. Not working toight obviously. But there aren't that many places with seats designed for those of my…magnitude. So it's a nice place to hang out even when I'm not working." One massive shoulder raises and falls. "What is it you do, Karen? Going just by looking at you…" He tilts his head and considers her. After a while he says, "Model?"
"Model? Me?" Karen chuckles softly and shakes her head, smiling at what she clearly views as a sweet joke from Cain. "Nope, not me. Actually, I'm a software developer and electronic engineer." All true, even if she isn't out of college with a degree just yet. "I was in town to meet with some investors." She glances at Marko, and then down at the stools, then back up. "I hadn't actually noticed that the stools were particularly heavy-duty and strong. But I suppose that is handy for a man of your stature. Do you like working as a bouncer?" She's curious, so she indulges in some of that curiosity. Why do people choose the paths they choose?
Marko nods. "Yes, you. Why not? You certainly have the looks for it." If it's a joke, he's pretty committed to it. The description of what she actually does makes him blink slowly a few times. "Huh. A computer person? I wouldn't have guessed that. You look more the athletic typee." He absently pats at the stool between them. "Yeah. There's a lot of Metahumans around these days. Some of them get pretty big. So, the Boss had these installed." Does he like to bounce? Well, that's a good question. "Eh. It's a job. Not even a full time job. I pick up other odd ones here and there to make extra cash. But this job was available when I needed one, and the pay's okay."
Karen smiles brightly and shakes her head. "It's not that I don't think I have a look that could succeed, Cain. I just can't see myself making a living that way, that's all." She shrugs. "I love running and swimming, and lots of other athletic pursuits. Doesn't mean I don't work well with computer stuff, too. Not all stereotypes stand up with everyone." Karen sips her soda, watching Cain for a bit. "Well, it's good to have opportunities. And you have rewarded that kindness with loyalty, a good thing I'd say." Clearly, she approves.
Marko nods his head. "Yeah. Don't have a lot of marketable skills myself. Big, strong. That's about it. Still. I get by well enough. And I get to meet interesting people." He gives her another smile, and a little wink. "So…Karen. I know you're not usually in town. And we just met. But I was wondering, would you want to go do something sometime? Dinner, movie?" He glances around the bar, and his lips twitch. "Drinks. Something."
"Well, maybe we can arrange something like that, the next time I'm in town. I don't know a lot of people in New York, and at the least dinner with someone other than a stranger could be nice." Karen offers in response, with a smile and a nod. OK, it's not incredibly enthused, but she's playing things careful and cool. She's not making big promises, but she's a woman who keeps her word. "Should I call you here, when I know I'll be coming back to town?"
Marko reaches into a pocket, fishing around until he finds a scrap of paper and a pen. Pulling them out he scribbles his phone number, then offers it to her. "Well, you can try this number first. If that doesn't work for some reason, you can try here." He seems more enthusiastic than the Kryptonian, but…well. Look at her. What guy wouldn't be?
Karen smiles, a twinkle in her eyes as he produces his number. Her odd glasses twinkle too, and there's a soft beep from her waist, as her phone takes in the data she just gathered. Tech geek, remember? "I don't need the slip of paper, though, Cain. I have the number, I promise. And I will call." She does seem like the sort that keeps her word when she gives it. "And thank you for being nice and welcoming. I appreciate it. I've always heard that New Yorkers weren't very friendly, so it's nice to meet an exception."
Marko quirks a brow, but nods. "Alright…I look forward to seeing you again." He finishes up his beer, then raises to his feet. He is BIG. "It was a real pleasure meeting you Karen. I hope to hear from you…before too long anyway. And if I ever happen to be in…whatever town it is you work, I'll be sure to look you up." It would help if he KNEW what town she worked, but details!
"I usually work in Metropolis. I'm grew up in the Seattle area." She doesn't mention where she was born, after all. But maybe what Karen has offered is enough for Cain? "Take care of yourself, Cain. It was good to meet you." She offers her hand again, smiling.
-==[ Voodoo Lounge — Greenwich Village ]==-------
One must descend a flight of black slate stairs flanked by walls papered in rock concert programs before discovering?
This is no ordinary urban mecca. This is no sports bar, no yuppie hipster watering hole. This? is the famed Voodoo Lounge.The lights are recessed into the wall, and of a golden hue, dimmed low enough that one can see where one is going, but still be able to consider the atmosphere intimate. People more than a dozen feet away will appear as mere shadows until one is right up on them. The walls are paneled in mahogany wood. The bar, that travels down the left side of the room is teak with a black marble top, polished to a fare-thee-well. Taps are visible just past the lip of the countertop. There's a recess in it so that a bartender can slide drinks to the waiting patrons. Behind the bar, the expected mirror - this one beveled on the edges. Glasses and more elaborate drinkware hangs upside down from a wooden rack above.
The barstools appear to be leather and wood, but they are reinforced to handle patrons of superhuman size. The floor is carpeted in plush brown carpet, thick enough to sink into, though nothing seems to ever reach it if anything is spilled. There are cozy tables and booths clustered at the front and back of the room. A long, thickly stuffed leather sofa, also in brown, is along the entire front wall and side wall. A hidden moving light casts random shapes and sigils around the room in muted hues - slowly enough so it's ambience-enhancing rather than disorienting. Potted palms flank the door and stand in the corners. There are hanging plants above the tables, leaves dripping lazily down toward the floor, but not enough to impede anyone there. Carefully hidden speakers pipe music into the room that varies from the contemporary to the exotic. There is no television behind the bar. The back wall has a floor-to-ceiling fountain that trickles away serenely. A few feet in front of the back wall is a modest stage, also set with small tables if there's no one performing.The entire vibe is like someone set a bar in a cozy little alcove in some exotic place far removed from New York City.
OOC: Views used here: +view
Contents:
Marko
Obvious Exits:
- [DN] - Sanctum - Voodoo Lounge — Gre
- [O] - Greenwich Village — New York
- [UP] - Apartment - Voodoo Lounge — G
Marko
Pure, brute strength. That's what this man seems to embody, built on a massive scale. His height actually seems to vary depending on unknown factors, from around seven feet to nearly ten. Broad, powerfully muscled shoulders lead down to an equally massive chest, and arms thicker than some men's waist, ending in hands that seem slightly oversized, though not nearly to the extent they would on a smaller figure. His waist only dips in slightly, his legs long and as densely muscled as the rest of his frame. Every inch of him seems to scream direct, unsubtle strength.
A crimson domed helmet covers his head, cutouts letting his blue eyes and large mouth be seen. Sleeveless, flexible red armor of some cloth like material covers his chest, continuing down his legs to a pair of equally crimson boots. It molds closely enough to his frame that, like many super beings costumes, the shape of his muscles is clearly defined. Bands of what look to be red metal wrap around upper and forearms, another wrapping around his knuckles as well. For those able to sense magic, an overwhelmingly powerful mystical force emanates from the behemoth. This is the Unstoppable Juggernaut.