The Cat's Meow

[sapphire]

Another day in the art gallery had finally come to a close. That Garrison man gave her some things to think about. But, the one thing that stayed etched in her mind was that phone call. The thought of that voice just sent chills down her spine. Sam knew she had worked very hard to conceal her mutant gene to the fullest. Never did she purr in front of anyone and she hasn't shape shifted in so long, she was sure she hardly remembered how. So whoever it was, either knew her from somewhere else, or it was just a prankster and she was completely paranoid. Whatever the case, a good glass of Late Harvest Reisling would help ease the tension.

Bear's Head was a good place for Samantha to actually relax. The noise inside was loud enough to conceal her own emittance of sound from her larynx. So, she could allow herself to let go and become herself once in a while. Tonight would be one of those nights. She decided she may even have a couple more drinks. She would walk home alone and no one would know she wasn't human.

With her hair still up in its usual business bun, Sam slinked her way over to the bartender and sat at a stool. Her short business skirt slightly raised up a little on her long lucious legs as she took off the matching jacket. The pink satin blouse looked as though it needed to breath, so she had unbuttoned the first two buttons to give herself some air and not reveal too much.

The bartender smiled and asked her what she wanted and she replied for the Late Harvest Reisling she had been drinking there before. The bartender began to recognize her and when she looked like she could use a drink, he sometimes gave it to her no charge. She wondered if he was trying to hit on her at his ripe old age or become a surrogate father figure with his advice and small talk. She actually to a liking to him even though he was human, but she didn't trust him. That aspect of anyone would take more than a few drinks to accomplish.

Looking around the bar, it had a fair amount of consumers present. While scanning, her eyes hit the pool table and she let out a small grin. Jacob and her always played pool together and she became a little good at it. But it had been such a long time that she wasn't sure if she still knew how. But its like riding a bike. Once you learn, you always know how.

Her drink came to her and nodded to Harry and he waved his hand at her and motioned the words "It's on the house" back at her. My God, do I look that bad? she thought as she smiled disguising her true feelings. Taking the drink, she took a good long drink emptying half the glass. Boy did it taste good tonight.

<Tag anyone>

[Sherridan Kaine]

The door opens soundlessly, and only the sound of it closing informs those present that someone has entered the bar. There are no audible footsteps, but there definitely is movement.

Sherridan walks straight to the bar, his moves filled with otherworldly elegance, or at least it would seem so to those who have not seen cats move. He sits on a chair right next to the woman, wondering what was she doing here. He recognized the face immediately, however, as he had already purchased some of her pictures. An odd place for her. he thinks, motioning for Harry to come.

The bartender immediately appears next to him, his goodwill to serve this particular customer coming from the fact that said customer was not only filthy rich, but also one who had ten very sharp reasons to be served hidden under the fur on his fingertips. "I will have the usual, Harry. And give Miss Carter another one of her favorite." he says, ever the gentleman.

He is wearing a pair of black tennis shoes, black pants and a black T-shirt, one tightly fitting his figure, and a black trench coat over. His golden blond hair is, as ever, perfectly clean and combed, and several strands fall over his face, covering his ice-blue cat eyes ever so discretely. The fur, which is visible on his neck, his hands being covered with black leather gloves, is white, soft and slightly shiny, like every good cat's fur is. His face is perfectly shaved, a rare occasion in the past few months, given the fact that there is not an area of his body which does not grow fur. His tail is not visible, wrapped snuggly around his waist, under his shirt. He flashes a smile towards the lady, one revealing perfectly white teeth, none of which are fangs. It is quite obvious from his looks that the rich cat-man has been on a business meeting of some sort.

He turns on the seat, glancing nonchalantly over the room, inspecting its guests. Not a very impressive lot, really, but still coming from the fair class of a working man. At least as fair as possible, considering they were all filthy humans. Human-mutant interaction is a crucial part of resolving the problem. There, my parents and Xavier were right, but not in the way the interaction should be done. he thinks as he waits for some sort of response from the lady next to him. Somehow, he feels an odd sort of bond with her, as if they were related in some way.

[sapphire]

As she scans back from the pool table back towards the bar, a figure comes into the bar. She recognizes him but can't place where. She still needs time to remember everyone she has come in contact with, but she never forgets a scent. Everyone has their own scent and Samantha places each one in a small box within the back of her mind. His face seems familiar, but his stride across the floor was eerily familiar. She could swear he walked like she did. Could this be a mutant? No, she hasn't met another mutant since her arrival in New York, so it can't be if she recognizes him.

Closer and closer he glides to the bar. Once next to her, the scent comes into focus and a smile retracts across her lips. This man has intrigued her since the first time she met him in the gallery. He was and still is a very predominant client and she was about to kick herself for not remembering who it was. She gave him a quick glance from head to toe and he was still as handsome as ever, almost edible. His tight shirt revealed a well formed figure underneath, something good to settle a head on for comfort. Feeling arms and hands smothering her body in intense.....

"I will have the usual, Harry. And give Miss Carter another one of her favorite." he says, ever the gentleman.

Her glass was empty and she did come here tonight to unwind, really unwind. So why not? He was rich, she knew that and why couldn't he buy her a drink? She wouldn't have turned him down if he wasn't richl. As Harry pours her another glass of wine, her smile widens and she sees he's going to sit next to her. Her heart begins to race. Will he hear me? Please, don't hear me.

"Thank you Mr. Kaine. Will you join me in having a drink? You look like you need one just as much as I do."

It was a lie, but she wanted him next to her, but she couldn't figure out why.

[Sherridan Kaine]

Of course, the specific sent of a fellow cat immediately catches his over-refined, above-cat level sense of smell, but he does not say anything about it, aware that she might just have a dozen of cats in her apartment or something of the sort.

He raises an eyebrow, which only further accentuates his cat-eyes. His hands move slightly up, and remove his gloves with the same elegant motions previously displayed in his walk. It is a rare opportunity for him to use the more charming sides of his mutation, since he has not been appearing in meetings and such for a very long time. Brotherhood needs came first and foremost.

>"Thank you Mr. Kaine. Will you join me in having a drink? You look like you need one just as much as I do."

He shrugs, flashing her a smile. "After a full day of correcting the mistakes of hundreds of employees, I indeed do need some strong beverage to set me right. What would be the case for your need of alcohol, though? Tiring day at work?" he replies, his voice friendly, his words carefully chosen. Sherridan has always been well-spoken, and this was no exception.

[sapphire]

The removal of his gloves confirms something she thought couldn't be true. She saw the hair and knew then, he was in fact a mutant. But what kind? Was he a mind reader? Was he a killer? Well, he was definitely tall, dark, and handsome. But looks can be deceiving.

"After a full day of correcting the mistakes of hundreds of employees, I indeed do need some strong beverage to set me right. What would be the case for your need of alcohol, though? Tiring day at work?"

Oh dear god, why did you have to ask that question? Sure, tell him that you received a threatening phone call about you being a mutant in front of someone you have been portraying yourself as a human. Go ahead and ruin your career and your life.

"Exhausting is hardly the word I would choose. I've been working on a couple of pieces for the next exhibit and I needed a good break."

She wasn't totally lying, but the white lie was there on the table.

[Sherridan Kaine]

He smiles again, that same, pearly-white smile, sensing, smelling that there was some dose of lies in her words, but for this one time he is not going to pressure her. Not overly, at least.

"I am quite interested in your work. It is marvelous how well you are capable of portraying wildlife. As if you possess a sort of deeper perception than most humans. It intrigues me to see these two new pieces you have mentioned."

He looks over the room, noticing a few people giving him the same type of spiteful look most mutants got if they showed themselves openly in public. Sherridan's own stare puts them back into their own pretense world of safety as he returns his attention to the lovely lady next to him. "Forgive me for being so overly bold, but are you, perchance, a fellow homo superior?" he asks, his voice low enough only for her to hear, and silent enough for all others to be excluded from this particular part of the conversation.

[sapphire]

"I am quite interested in your work. It is marvelous how well you are capable of portraying wildlife. As if you possess a sort of deeper perception than most humans. It intrigues me to see these two new pieces you have mentioned."

You have no idea. It pleased Sam to know that someone actually appreciated the thought behind her work, the inner messages within the paintings as well as their beauty as animals. Her specialty, so to speak, was tigers of course and most of her paintings depicted things like cubs with their parents to exert out the pain of her own parents. She watched as he scanned the room and scowled with a furrow at those opposing a mutant in the saloon.

Damned humans came across her mind just as Mr. Kaine's attention averted back to her.

"Forgive me for being so overly bold, but are you, perchance, a fellow homo superior?"

The question took her by surprise. How was she to answer? A small part of her screamed out to have someone except her as a mutant herself. However, her entire life depended on nobody knowing. She didn't want to live in a cardboard box or possibly dead somewhere although there were times it would have come as a blessing. That was until Jacob. Boy how she really missed his warm smile and loving care.

Taking her hand and placing it softly over his furry knuckles, she reached in to answer. The smooth texture of the hair was very comforting and rather enticing with the warmness of his hand underneath.

"I assure you Mr. Kaine I am superior to no one. Mutants need to be accepted in today's society instead of ridiculed and scolded for being a little....different."

[Sherridan Kaine]

His eyes focus back on her, waiting for a reply. As it comes, he at first shows only the slightest of tingles of disapproval, but then smirks, and this smirk slowly grows into a light laugh, which then subsides as he keeps smiling at her with those pearly whites which had caught him many an unsuspecting prey for the night. An amusing metaphor... he concludes of his own thoughts before his mouth opens to reply, his hand staying under hers, enjoying the touch, one of a kind which he has not experienced in a long while.

>"I assure you Mr. Kaine I am superior to no one. Mutants need to be accepted in today's society instead of ridiculed and scolded for being a little....different."

"Quite an intriguing answer, and one which collides against my own beliefs only in the slightest, but I dare say that it is not what I was searching for as an answer. You have told me what your own thoughts are, but you still have not revealed the answer to my actual question. I give you kudos for avoiding the answer so subtly, but you are playing against a veteran of the game, if I may say so myself. So, what would the answer be? Are you a fellow mutant, Miss Carter?" he asks, his words charming as always, a caring and friendly undertone enveloping his words in a sort of beautiful, soft satin wrapper of vocal mastery.

He leaves his hand still under hers, but his fur color changes into a pitch black as his bright blue slitted eyes, usually two ice-blocks, now look at her warmly.

[sapphire]

Samantha slowly pulls her hand away, heart racing like a scared rabbit. She knew he'd ask her, but she didn't know how to respond. The words came anyways and she was getting knee deep into disaster.

"Quite an intriguing answer, and one which collides against my own beliefs only in the slightest, but I dare say that it is not what I was searching for as an answer. You have told me what your own thoughts are, but you still have not revealed the answer to my actual question. I give you kudos for avoiding the answer so subtly, but you are playing against a veteran of the game, if I may say so myself. So, what would the answer be? Are you a fellow mutant, Miss Carter?"

Everything she had ever worked for lately could gone with one word. She feared telling him as he might go to her owner and tell him off. Mr. Padelecki was not the a mutant lover by know means. However, if they were willing to pay for the artwork, he would surely take their money, no questions asked. Her career seemed to heading the in right direction, but only because she never revealed herself to anyone. Another factor? Up until now, Samantha had never met a mutant who was forthcoming in their presence. She may have dealt with them in the past, but this was the first time she actually knew she was. Now, she sat there with her hands becoming clammy wondering how to answer his question.

"Mr. Kaine I am sure you are well aware of Mr. Padelecki's view on mutants. He is totally unsupportive in their efforts to become a respectable part of the community, and I hardly think he would hire in one if he was so against them."

Looking down to the ground and away from the eye contact Mr. Kaine had attained, she was terrified to tell the truth. Again she refrained from the answer in fear of losing everything and gaining nothing.

[Sherridan Kaine]

>
"Mr. Kaine I am sure you are well aware of Mr. Padelecki's view on mutants. He is totally unsupportive in their efforts to become a respectable part of the community, and I hardly think he would hire in one if he was so against them."

He nods, and then a smile spreads across his face, one of those absolutely charming ones which made all women around him feel dizzy, the ones which were usually deliberately followed by the exposure of his fur, either on his hands, arms, or on his tail, which, in turn, caused even more dizziness, but in a different direction.

"I must thank you, Miss Carter, for answering my question. Because, that is indeed what you have done. All I needed was a reassurance, and you have given it to me." he says, seemingly talking about how he thinks that she is a normal human.

He falls into a silence as his eyes rest idly on her face, his hand trailing the rim of the wine glass next to him. And then he flashes another smile and his hand moves forward to lay idly on hers. "But you need not worry, for I will not tell Mr. Padelecki that you are, in fact, a mutant. He does not even know that I am one. Now, I am just trying to figure out what kind of mutation it is that you have, that makes you so radiantly wonderful." he tells her, his light blue eyes trailing away to sweep across the room once more.

"And, before you attempt objecting, I will tell you how I know you are of my kin. First, you avoided a direct answer to all of my questions, something a homo sapiens would never do. Another thing is your paintings. In all of my life, and even though it has so far been relatively short, I have accumulated a vast knowledge of art, I have seen only three or four other artists who could paint wildlife so excellently, and those were one of three categories. The first was that they were hermits, living in secluded wildlife areas where they could get accustomed to their subject. I know this does not fit you simply by noticing your exquisite sense of style. The second category would be a highly eccentric individual, who has illusions of knowing wildlife. This, obviously, you are not either, since you are quite lucid, and a very pleasurable companion in conversations. And the only remaining way for one to be able to paint wild cats so perfectly and reflect all of the feelings they had into those wonderful creatures, would be none other than a mutant with some sort of animal-related mutation." he finishes his explanation, his voice kept low so as to prevent anyone around them from hearing.

He then takes a few sips of his drink to replenish liquid in his throat, and turns back to watch the room, not saying anything, letting a veil of silence fall over the two, allowing, of course, Miss Carter to pull it off.

His mind has raced to the conclusions he has stated quite quickly, and it was at about the third time he had seen her paintings. Being in close relation to felines himself, he has noticed the special details in her paintings which most humans did not notice, the ones which, in his opinion, gave her paintings the most life.

[sapphire]

"I must thank you, Miss Carter, for answering my question. Because, that is indeed what you have done. All I needed was a reassurance, and you have given it to me."

She momentarily was in relief that he believed her to be perfectly normal. There had to be humans who accepted mutants. Jacob was one, so why couldn't there be more? She took another sip of wine and heard Mr. Kaine speak again. His smile was most intriguing almost hypnotizing and the words that came forth sent a chill down her spine.

"But you need not worry, for I will not tell Mr. Padelecki that you are, in fact, a mutant. He does not even know that I am one. Now, I am just trying to figure out what kind of mutation it is that you have, that makes you so radiantly wonderful."

While she was glad to know that Mr. Padelecki didn't even know of his current status, the fact that hers was out in the open was terrifying. Even if it was another mutant who knew, it was one more step for everyone else finding out in Sam's mind. She nearly dropped her glass, but placed it down with some poise before speaking in reply.

Before she could even think of telling him he was mistaken, the seemingly kind mutant continued his analysis of her status in society.

"And, before you attempt objecting, I will tell you how I know you are of my kin. First, you avoided a direct answer to all of my questions, something a homo-sapiens would never do. Another thing is your paintings. In all of my life, and even though it has so far been relatively short, I have accumulated a vast knowledge of art, I have seen only three or four other artists who could paint wildlife so excellently, and those were one of three categories. The first was that they were hermits, living in secluded wildlife areas where they could get accustomed to their subject. I know this does not fit you simply by noticing your exquisite sense of style. The second category would be a highly eccentric individual, who has illusions of knowing wildlife. This, obviously, you are not either, since you are quite lucid, and a very pleasurable companion in conversations. And the only remaining way for one to be able to paint wild cats so perfectly and reflect all of the feelings they had into those wonderful creatures, would be none other than a mutant with some sort of animal-related mutation."

She had gulped her entire glass of wine while he spoke trying to alleviate the shaking in her body. The simple fact that someone else knew about her was indeed horrific in her eyes, but somehow Mr. Kaine made it seem so elegant and worth fighting for her own kind. However, her survival depended on her silence and she would only have to start all over again if she was found out. Would she reveal to him her ability? Of course not. A 500+ pound tiger wouldn't exactly fit in anywhere in New York except a local zoo. All she could do was thank him.

"Thank you Mr. Kaine", she began holding her head down and her eyes glancing around the room. No one was even looking in their general direction and her gaze returned to his locking with his beautiful blue orbs.

"I'm very much pleased to know that someone appreciates the elegance and beauty of the feline beast. It's not every day you come across someone who is so personally involved with wildlife artwork. I shall also hold your true identity, if that's what we call it, a secret as well. I know far too much how important it is to remain silent in this city."

[Sherridan Kaine]

>"I'm very much pleased to know that someone appreciates the elegance and beauty of the feline beast. It's not every day you come across someone who is so personally involved with wildlife artwork. I shall also hold your true identity, if that's what we call it, a secret as well. I know far too much how important it is to remain silent in this city."

He smiles yet again, letting out a slight chuckle. "You needn't worry about my identity. The first thing I do when interacting with new business partners is to reveal my mutation. Of course, I had not wanted to keep my mutation secret from Mr. Padelecki, but it just so happened that it is winter, and I prefer wearing gloves anyway. I have many ways of actually being quite loud about mutation, but that is to be left for another occasion." he says, and then waves a hand to the bartender, who nods and, after a few minutes, brings another set of drinks for the two.

"You might want to slow down on that, however. Being drunk is the last thing one needs if one has secrets to hide." he adds just before standing up from the stool and walking over to the pool table. He sends the woman a questioning look. "Would you care to join me for a game, Miss Carter?" he asks, flashing another smile, his eyes still with that charming warmth he uses around those whom he has at least a certain affection for.

[sapphire]

"You needn't worry about my identity. The first thing I do when interacting with new business partners is to reveal my mutation. Of course, I had not wanted to keep my mutation secret from Mr. Padelecki, but it just so happened that it is winter, and I prefer wearing gloves anyway. I have many ways of actually being quite loud about mutation, but that is to be left for another occasion."

She found herself giggling herself over his words. It sure was cold as of late and she hadn't prepared with buying anything really warm to wrap herself up in. Oh well, a few more drinks and she was sure she'd be warm enough.

"You might want to slow down on that, however. Being drunk is the last thing one needs if one has secrets to hide."

He was right, but didn't he just buy her another drink? That's a bit hypocritical.

"I guess I'll just turn down this free drink you bought me then", she smirked taking another sip. Mr. Kaine had went over most gracefully to the pool table and the alcohol was surely having an effect of Samantha. He looked good, really good to her. Out of relaxation that she had almost finally attained, she took out the few pins holding her hair up and allowed her locks to fall down loosely upon her shoulders. Glancing back over to the pool table, she heard him call for him to join him in a game.

"Would you care to join me for a game, Miss Carter?"

Her eyes lit up and she cocked one brow. Lifting herself up off the stool, she picked up her glass and walked over a bit more premiscuously than before. Her legs moved like a graceful cat on the night prowl and she walked passed Mr. Kaine with a more playful grin. Yeah, the alcohol was definitely doing something to her.

"What shall we play for Mr. Kaine?" she started grabbing a cue stick and a bit provocatively placing it between her legs. Leaning up against the table, she took the blue box and began to rub it against the end awaiting for the break.

"And please, call me Samantha."

[Sherridan Kaine]

"Well, if I am to call you Samantha, you would have to name me as Sherridan." he replies with a light smile on his face as he looks on at what the woman is doing. She has had a drink too many. I should best make sure she does not get into any trouble. he thinks, realizing that he feels rather protectively about this female, whom he has in fact just met.

"Perhaps you should rather take a rest? I do not wish to cause you any harm, and I most certainly do not with to be responsible for you becoming intoxicated." he says, walking over and putting his pool stick away on the rack.

"I suggest I drive you home, so you can have a good night's sleep, a rest from a stressful day at work, and then we could make arrangements for another time." his words are smooth as he walks over, taking her drink into his hand, at the same time using the opportunity to make contact with her own.

[sapphire]

Somehow Samantha started to agree with him, but she doesn't want to leave. Why now? She's having the best time she's had in a very long time. I'm not that drunk for God's sake. Can't a man tell a come on when he sees one. Oh well, another rejection.

"I suggest I drive you home, so you can have a good night's sleep, a rest from a stressful day at work, and then we could make arrangements for another time."

When he touched her to take the glass away an invigorating sobering tingle tickled up her spine. She nearly had to catch her breath from the moment, but she had no idea why. His scent was nearly on top of her and it sent her into a feral erosion of erotic needs. This is new and not too bad. Sam wondered if the same scent came across his nostrils as her own hormones began to pound away like a beating heart. Without really realizing what she was doing, her free hand ran up his shirt feeling, for a brief moment, the contents underneath. Then her eyes met his and she released her fingers quickly.

Speaking softly and more soberly, she answered him giving him the said glass. "Maybe you're right....Sherridan. My apologies for my behavior. I've.....I haven't had the opportunity to feel free.....I mean....." She couldn't find the right words to explain her emotions. The alcohol probably was the reason why, but she bet otherwise.