>>”Maya… Such a pretty name...fitting.”

Maya smiled back at Abigail. It was nice to be complimented. Sure, she had just saved the girl, and adrenaline and superhero uniforms did certain things to people, but the winged girl still sounded genuine, and not desperate. She helped her up, already thinking where they could go to get out of the immediate police questioning, and the eye of public attention in general. A smaller brawl was usually enough for people to start looking at mutants funny.

>>”Sounds like an amazing idea. Anywhere is good, so long as it isn’t here.”

"Come on" Maya offered a hand. It was faster to get out through the mirrors, and she had an idea of where to go. There was a small bar nearby, nothing fancy, but it was mutant-run, and generally quiet this time of the day. It was close to one of the safe rooms the X-men had in the city, so before or after patrol Maya tended to stop by there for a drink or some food. She would take Abigail there in a few minutes through the mirrors, and make sure that her shock wore off before she let the girl talk to the police. "It's not very fancy, but it's comfortable and friendly. Do you also want some food?"

>>"Come on"

Agnes smiled when Maya offered her an exit out of the alley. She gave all the appearance of someone so utterly beguiled by her rescuer that Agnes was certain she was stroking the woman’s already over-inflated ego. But Agnes played her part well, slipping her hand into Maya’s, not in any way revealing her overall disgust with having to touch the gendershifter’s hand. She knew going into this that that was a feeling she was going to have to get over quickly, especially if she wanted to ensure that Becca had no place that was not already touched by the insect queen.

Stepping into the mirror world was a new sensation. Disorienting, otherworldly, something that seemed only possible in movies or badly written sci-fi. It was distracting enough that even Agnes felt a momentary pang of fear and tightened her grip on the mirrorwalker’s hand. She wasn’t going to allow herself to be trapped here. She knew that if her plans failed or were discovered, this was certainly something that could be a very real possibility, but she wasn’t going to be deterred from her course.

Besides, the tightened grip, pressing up against the X-Woman’s body, it would only continue to add to her appeal. Heroes could never resist a woman in distress.

Once they exited and were back out in the world, Agnes looked around to see that they were in a new bar. It wasn’t fancy, but it certainly seemed safer than the one she was just in. She gave Maya a relieved smile and visibly released the tension in her shoulders.

>>"It's not very fancy, but it's comfortable and friendly. Do you also want some food?"

”That’d be great,” she said with a luminescent smile. ”If they have french fries, I will literally love you forever.”

She was teasing, of course, the tone of her voice indicated that she was making a joke. But her piercing blue eyes, the mischievous glint they had as they briefly looked the woman over, was enough to make one think. Forever was a relative term, after all, and could easily last just a single night. Still, she didn’t push too hard. She didn’t need to with Maya, she just needed to be subtle.

Suddenly she “oh’d” as she pulled up her clutch. ”Please, let me pay for this?” she started. ”I can’t have you rescue me AND make you pay for my dinner.”

They found a table, and Maya felt the adrenaline leaving her system, giving way to hunger. God, she always got hungry after a fight. Which is why it was good to have this place, ready to serve food and giving funny looks at the guests. Abigail looked to be in better shape too by the time they arrived, although she had been leaning pretty close during the mirrorhopping. Not that Maya minded.

>>”That’d be great. If they have french fries, I will literally love you forever.”

"Careful what you wish for" Maya chuckled. They did have fries. Curly fries, waffle fries, and also chili fries. She tapped the menu as they sat down.

>>”Please, let me pay for this? I can’t have you rescue me AND make you pay for my dinner.”

"Nah, it's okay." she waved a hand, nodding to the bartender "We have an open tab here. And I don't want you to pass out from low blood sugar or anything..."

>>"Careful what you wish for"

Agnes practically purred in response to the cheeky comment. She hated Mirror. Deep down to the core of her being. But she was willing to stomach being around her, flirting with her, even sleeping with her if it meant that she was going to get her revenge on the people who had turned their back on her. Agnes was solely focused on this mission now and while Becca was slowly working her way into her pocket, the terrible insect queen now focused her attention on Mirror, the second of those monstrosities on her revenge list.

Despite her annoyances with the gendershifter, Agnes gave an award winning performance. The glance with her sapphire eyes and the tiny bite of her lip and it seemed as if she truly were interested in her, and it was enough to seemingly fool the mirrorwalker. Not only was Agnes making a few, subtle flirtatious comments -- but Mirror was flirting back. Perfect.

Agnes continued to play the role of the shy damsel-in-distress and tried to wave off the rescue by volunteering to pay for the meal. But even as she was getting ready to go through her clutch, she stopped when Maya shook her head. They took a seat as she began to explain...

>>"Nah, it's okay...We have an open tab here. And I don't want you to pass out from low blood sugar or anything..."

She pouted sweetly and nodded her head. ”That is so incredibly sweet of you,” she said with a sigh.

She relented, closing her clutch and setting it to her side as she claimed her seat. Crossing one leg over the other beneath the table, she sighed as she set her arms on the table, inadvertently pushing her chest together and exposing just how low cut her top was.

”Well...fine. You can put these on your tab.” She then grinned devilishly. ”I’ll just have to think of some other way to thank you.”

They took their seats, and made their orders (fries included). Abigail seemed to be recovering well. She was less rattled now, and more curious; maybe a little excited to, to be spending time with Maya. That much was... obvious.

>>”Well...fine. You can put these on your tab. I’ll just have to think of some other way to thank you.”

Maya arched an eyebrow. Okay, this time, Abigail was definitely flirting. She had been at the other bar looking for company to begin with, so it was not exactly shocking. Maya just hoped she was not having some kind of a delayed reaction to adrenaline, or a superhero complex.

"Alright, listen" she leaned closer too, to make sure the girl paid attention "You really don't need to thank me. I would never expect that for what I do." she smiled a little "I mean, you are a very attractive girl. I just...
want you to ride out the adrenaline rush, before you... move on?"

Agnes had to be careful, but sometimes it was hard to control herself. That wasn’t to say that she actually had a thing for Mirror, far from the through. If she could leave the woman tied up in a ditch filled with rats, she would do it in an instant. But when it came to playing her role, she was good, convincing, to the point that she could be considered a method actor, one who got lost in her performance. It was to the point where even Agnes believed how much she wanted to tear Maya’s clothes off. For a purpose, that was why she was doing this, and that was something she wasn’t going to forget.

But she still needed to watch herself. If she threw herself too hard at the gendershifter, she could become suspicious. There was nothing wrong in laying down the groundwork, however, and making it appear just how into her she was.

There was certainly no meaning lost in Maya’s interpretations, which immediately seemed to prompt a response.

>>"Alright, listen...You really don't need to thank me. I would never expect that for what I do. I mean, you are a very attractive girl. I just….want you to ride out the adrenaline rush, before you... move on?"

Agnes sighed softly, closing her eyes and looking at the darkness behind them. As soft as a cloud, the word ”Galliant” purred from between her lips. However, for as lustful as the tone carried it, it was quickly overtaken with something far more subdued and sparked with clarity. Biting her lip, this time in embarrassment, Agnes sighed and sat back in her chair, folding her hands across her lap. ”I’m...I’m sorry…”

She sniffled.

A shaky breath.

Then he hand reached up to wipe a tear (forced) from the corner of her eye. Truly she looked like a woman who had gone through a litany of emotions. Now she took several deep breaths, shaking her head. At first she wouldn’t meet Maya’s eyes, looking almost ashamed as she turned her gaze down to the table top.

”I’m...just…” she shook her head. ”What must you think of me?” she asked. ”I don’t...do this. I never do this. I don’t just throw myself at random people.” She shook her head, burying her face in her hands. ”And now I’m making a fool of myself because I’m still trying to shake off this…shake...iness.” A few more forced tears and now Agnes was upset.

The last thing Maya wanted was for someone to think that they owed her anything for saving them. She never wanted to be that person. She didn't get into the whole vigilante gig for the perks, honestly. Sometimes, some people had... a thing, for the uniform. But Maya did not usually play that up. Definitely not after a rattling experience.
Abigail listened to her words, and seemed to take them to heart. She started tearing up again.

>> ”I’m...I’m sorry… I’m...just… What must you think of me? I don’t...do this. I never do this. I don’t just throw myself at random people. And now I’m making a fool of myself because I’m still trying to shake off this…shake...iness.”

"Hey. It's okay, really" Maya smiled, reaching over to pat her hand "Aftereffects of the adrenaline. It does all kinds of weird stuff to people. Been there, done that."

Abigail was mortified by her forward actions, but Agnes knew what she was doing. She needed to keep drawing the sympathy out of the gendershifter, to make he/r more sweet, more open, and more caring. The longer she could draw that out, the deeper that she could pull the X-Woman into her web and more assured that Agnes would be in her plan’s success. So Abigail took the show, feeling terrible for her bluntness and clumsy flirtations. She lowered her head, shaking it softly in annoyance.

But, true to form, she felt that soft hand press down upon hers. Looking up, her sapphire eyes locked onto Maya’s as the X-Woman sweetly assured her that she was okay.

>>"Hey. It's okay, really...Aftereffects of the adrenaline. It does all kinds of weird stuff to people. Been there, done that."

She snorted. ”I can only imagine,” she said with a sigh, running her fingers through her long, raven-like hair. As it cascaded back down across her shoulder, she lifted her gaze. ”I can only imagine how many admirers you’ve had to fend off once you’re done rescuing them. This is probably par for the course, right? But you don’t take advantage,” she nodded admirably. ”Maybe you really are a knight.”

**** all that. She knew who Mirror was. And she also knew of this “after effects” of adrenaline that she was speaking of. The b**** had slept with her girlfriend after all, after some stupid and overrated mission to another country. Yes, Becca spoke “of” the incident but only in the vaguest terms. Whatever, the two cows were perfectly suited for one another, but Agnes still wanted to have her fun.

With a deep and calming sigh, she took a more relaxed and comfortable posture, less sexpot and more casual friend (who still, somehow, managed to look like a hellcat in the sack). Really she didn’t need to try all that hard, the outfit she wore on her “date” had been specifically chosen to generously show off her new, far superior assets. Maya didn’t need to be pursued, rather, Agnes just had to wait for the mirrorwalker to come to her.

Her shoulders slumping as relaxation started to settle, she offered a smile to Mirror. ”Well, not that I feel bad about what those women did to me back there, but will they be okay?” she asked innocently. ”Those arrows look like they really hurt.”

Maya had seen people with a superhero crush before. This was girl was not one of them. She was rattled, sure, and also grateful for the rescue, but also genuinely curious. Maya did not lie, she wanted the adrenaline to get out of her system before she made any decisions. Mostly because Abigail did look hella hot.

>>”I can only imagine... I can only imagine how many admirers you’ve had to fend off once you’re done rescuing them. This is probably par for the course, right? But you don’t take advantage. Maybe you really are a knight.”

Maya blinked. Knight?... She did not remember talking about Gawain. She chalked it up to a lucky coincidence that the girl would call her that.

"Less admirers than you'd think. I was mostly talking about myself." she admitted. She had done adrenaline-fueled things on a mission in the past. Budapest had been one of them.

>>”Well, not that I feel bad about what those women did to me back there, but will they be okay? Those arrows look like they really hurt.”

"They'll be fine" Maya smirked "I learned to shoot where it hurts, but doesn't do permanent damage. I only do otherwise when it is life or death." she arched an eyebrow "How did you end up picking that woman anyway? I'd think there would be a better lineup, even online..."

Agnes was going to have to take a different approach with Mirror. As much as she wanted to close this deal and immediately wash the revulsion off of her, the “gallant knight” was too willing to continue that chivalrous streak. She wasn’t going to make a move on “Abigail”, not so long as her libido could be blamed on adrenaline. Mentally she rolled her eyes but if Mirror wanted to take this gently, then so be it. All she needed was to wait the gendershifter out, after all, how long could Maya actually keep it in her pants? Considering his/her reputation, it was a doubtful to be a long amount of time.

She teased the X-Woman, proclaiming that her admirations were probably just par for the course. She must be used to it by this point. How many rescuees had thrown themselves at the knight? How many had s/he bedded simply for the sake of adding another notch to their bedpost? She could only imagine, though she had a feeling that if she persisted, she herself would be added. Not her proudest moment, but a necessary one.

>>"Less admirers than you'd think. I was mostly talking about myself."

Bulls***. She chided the X-Woman mentally but outside, she pouted a bit sadly for the heroine. Agnes was fully invested into her Abigail character now, remember how snivelly and pathetic she used to be. That would certainly be enough to ensure her intentions were genuine towards the heroine.

Really she didn’t a **** what happened to those morons back at the bar, especially the one that roughed her up. If she had had her way, Agnes would have let the Hive Queen take her away and leave her as a meal for another nest. But, “Abigail”, sweet, caring Abigail, would certainly want to make sure that they would be okay. After all...her hand drifted across her stomach...stabbings hurt.

>>"They'll be fine...I learned to shoot where it hurts, but doesn't do permanent damage. I only do otherwise when it is life or death...How did you end up picking that woman anyway? I'd think there would be a better lineup, even online..."

Agnes smirked and shamefully tilted her crystalline eyes downward. ”Ugh, just another in a long string of mistakes,” she said with a dismissive wave. She leaned back against her seat, crossing her soft legs, one over the other. ”I went through a pretty messy break-up several months ago. I’m good now, moved on. But I guess, for one of my first few outings back into the casual dating pool, I swiped right when I should have swiped left.” She sighed and shrugged her shoulders. ”And yeah, I get matched a few times with some really hot ladies,’ she bit her lip shyly. ”But...I guess I’m looking for a little more ...I dunno...substance than that. I’m just want to meet someone nice, go out, see if there are any sparks, and see what happens.” A deep sigh. ”I guess ‘nice’ is just out of my league.”

>>”Ugh, just another in a long string of mistakes,”

Maya was curious about the girl's story. She clearly picked someone who wanted to use her to make someone else jealous, but behind the decision, however bad it was, had to be a longer explanation.

>>”I went through a pretty messy break-up several months ago. I’m good now, moved on. But I guess, for one of my first few outings back into the casual dating pool, I swiped right when I should have swiped left.”

"Happens to the best of us" Maya chuckled. She was not big on online dating for multiple reasons (the damn AMA being one of many), but she could see the perks in it, if it was done right. And the potential for disaster, too.

>>”But...I guess I’m looking for a little more ...I dunno...substance than that. I’m just want to meet someone nice, go out, see if there are any sparks, and see what happens. I guess ‘nice’ is just out of my league.”

"Bullsh*t" Maya noted cheerfully. They got fries and drinks, and she was relaxing into the conversation. "You were way out of that girl's league. You could pick up pretty much anyone you want."

>>"Happens to the best of us"

Agnes sighed defeatedly and nodded her head. Cutely she huffed a few brunette locks from over her eyes. She perfectly encapsulated the image of a young woman who was utterly frustrated with love. But while Abilgail played that roll to perfection, Agnes was actually pretty sick of her. God. The role was hitting a little too close to home, reminding her of the pathetic mess that she used to be. But she guessed that was appropriate since she was trying to snag the X-Woman. After all, if she needed to play a damsel in distress for the predatory gendershifter to salivate over, why not the simpering mess she used to be?

She graciously accepted the woman’s answer but lamented that maybe finding a “nice” person just wasn’t for her. After all, it wouldn’t be so unheard of. How many people go through life, trying to find the perfect mate, only to end up with a near endless string of losers and morons? Herself, for one.

However, it would appear that Maya took a distinct disliking to Agnes belief that she wasn’t meant for anyone nice. The blue-eyed brunette tilted her head, watching as the X-Woman spoke encouragingly.

>>"Bullsh*t...You were way out of that girl's league. You could pick up pretty much anyone you want."

Agnes scoffed before she smiled sweetly to her companion. ”That is the nicest thing anyone has said to me in months,” she offered her a sincere and gentle smile. She looked down to her soda and fries, grateful to have something to put into her stomach. ”I really wish that were true, though,” she said as he picked one up. ”About having my pick...” it seemed for a moment that she was going to make another pass at Maya but she just covered her mouth and giggled. ”Oh the things I could do to that Scarlet Johnson. I love her as Red Spider in the Revengers movies..”

She took a bite of her fry, chewed for a moment, and then moaned audibly.

"Mmmm! You weren't kidding when you said these were good."

Maya did say things just to make people feel better occasionally, but most of the time, she said what she meant. And this Abigail girl really was nice. Maybe a little insecure for someone so attractive, but that did not change the fact that she did not need to resort to online blind dates. She also seemed to take the compliment to heart.

>>”That is the nicest thing anyone has said to me in months... I really wish that were true, though. About having my pick... Oh the things I could do to that Scarlet Johnson. I love her as Red Spider in the Revengers movies..”

"She was pretty badass wasn't she" Maya smirked in agreement. She was surrounded by enough real life female superheroes to appreciate them, but occasionally, the movie versions were definitely fun to watch too. Even when their fight scenes were a little far-fetched and their hair never fell out of place.

>>"Mmmm! You weren't kidding when you said these were good."

The moaning sound was definitely attractive. Maya smiled as she watched the girl eat some fries, her mind (and eyes) starting to wander just a little...

Oh, Agnes had the *****. She knew that she did. But Mirror wouldn't have been as good an X-Man as s/he was if they weren't observant and careful. Of course Agnes had a hard time believing that Mirror could be anything but a self-absorbed moron, but she needed to play this game carefully. No, this wasn't a power move like with Becca. For this she needed to fish, give a little slack and slowly continue to reel Maya in until she was firmly in the net.

>>"She was pretty badass wasn't she"

"I know, right?" she giggled. "Kickass and all in that skintight catsuit..." She glanced at Mirror, at her uniform, blushed a little and turned her attention to the fries. That was totally not embarrassing.

To be honest she didn't give a **** about that movie but it was what came to mind. The actress she was aware of and did feel was pretty damn sexy. That will do nicely to give “Abigail” a bit more character and depth to sneak past any of Mirror’s suspicions.

Taking another fry, she sighed in such a way that it could easily be confused with sex or really good food. It was an innocent sound, the kind lots of people make, and in no way should alert Maya. But it should nudge her thoughts in the right direction.

A glance and Agnes could see Maya’s eyes start to wander. Hey. She knew it would take much prodding but before she got too ahead of herself, she would keep this paced until she knew where the evening was going.

As she picked up another fry, she began to gently swirl it around in careful circles in the small cup of ketchup. While doing so, she locked her gaze with Mirror’s, giving her a sweet smile.

“Why don’t you tell me more about you, honey?” she asked innocently. “I may never get the opportunity to talk to an X-Man again. I’d love to learn more.”

That's right. Keep the self-centered ***** talking about herself. That could easily take the whole night, but it'll be worth it. In the end, for what she had planned, it was more than worth it.

Maya was aware that Abigail saw her looking, and she blushed a little. The girl was attractive, and she was definitely not against flirting. It might still had been the aftereffect of the recent fight, but somehow Maya doubted it. It felt too... intentional? She could not really put a finger on it. But either way, Abigail felt less innocent now than she had before.

>>“Why don’t you tell me more about you, honey? I may never get the opportunity to talk to an X-Man again. I’d love to learn more.”

Maya sipped some of her drink and smiled back.

"Well, what would you like to know?..." she tilted her head "Let's see... yeah, this is my main job. No, I don't really have a secret identity... yes, we pick our own codenames. That's how we ended up with Cold Steel..." she chuckled "No, I don't wear my underwear on the outside... What else?"